Samurai pack tiles explanation wanted

[Parallax Panda]

I've bought the Samurai DLC which was originally for the RMVX but I have little to no idea how to actually use some of the tiles it comes with.
I'm not saying that the tiles look bad, because they don't. But because it is pixel art and because I'm not super familiar with medieval Japanese culture I simply don't know what some things are supposed to be and as such I'm not sure where or how to place them.

My question is therefore directed at whomever can explain (or at least make an educated guess) what these items are. I hope I don't break any rules by uploading a few of the tiles I want explained to this topic as reference. Just in case I've both resized and added some random clutter to them so I doubt anyone could download and use them. If that's not enough then the moderators have to delete the picture and I apologize for uploading them. I do however feel that it would be hard to get answers to my question without an actual visual representation though so without further ado.

A - I've seen these type of monuments around old temple areas in Japan but I've no idea what they actually are (or what they are called?)
B - Same as A though I think I've seen one or two of these along rural mountain roads. Still no idea what they actually are.
C - No idea what this is supposed to be. Probably a "stand" of some kind but what are those two wooden things? No idea.
D - This reminds me of a well but it looks like it might not be the case. For one thing it's very small and there are other well tiles which are larger included in the pack.
E - No idea what this is and I guess it's even harder to see now that I've resized and painted all over it. If you own the pack it's probably easier to figure out if you look at the non-defiled version of it.
F - This must be one of the strangest parts. It looks like a giant pool of pasta with a meatball in the middle? Is it some kind of ancient noodle-making-thingy?
G - I think this MIGHT be something that's used to make some kind of food. Maybe mochi? But then again, mochi making usually looks like this which is a little different:

Spoiler

H - No idea what this is and I think it might be impossible to make out of this picture I've uploaded (again because the resizing and stuff). Maybe it's something related to the shrines people used to have in their homes for their dead ancestors? ...just a wild guess.
I - This might be some kind of old Japanese plow but I'm not sure. Any other opinions?
J - Some kind of pot, but with a very tiny hole in it? I bet it is a specific kind of pot and I'd like to know what kind it is.
K - Again a wild guess but maybe it something related to fishing? Could be clams on a straw mat. Seems a bit strange but maybe that is what it is?
L - This looks like a red pot/basket with some weird white thing in it and a carrot sticking out of the top? Is it...food?
M - Again a pot, obviously. But it has two sticks inside it and I believe that this might be a special kind of pot with a special kind of purpose.
N - Looks like a red fence. Is this inspired by something that is/was actually used in japan? looks to fancy for everyday usage so maybe something used to restrict access in temples?
O - A basket filled with bamboo and flowers. Obviously decoration but what I'd like to know is if it is specific to certain events or situations? Maybe funerals?
P - This is a classic tile that have been included in the normal RTP too. But I've no idea what it is. Looks like a medieval version of a modern roadblock... made in wood? But if that's the case I doubt it actually have any historical reference? If it does however, please tell me what the heck it is. I've been wondering about it for years now.

Well I hope that I can get some answers. If you have any input on other tiles in this pack which I didn't list feel free to share your knowledge of what they are and what purpose/usage they had. Every bit of information is useful.

And as always thank you for reading all the way down here!

 

[Cunechan]

I think G is used to mash rice? And I think F might be a mini zen garden ouo

 

[Parallax Panda]

@Cunechan

I think you might be right regarding G. I googled it and found this vintage doll that I guess support your theory of it being a rice mashing device: http://www.terapeak.com/worth/vintage-japanese-hakata-doll-clay-kyoto-woman-mashing-rice/221956194002/

But while googling for that picture I realized that F might be some kind of medieval "kitchen garden" used so you would not burn down your wooden floor (and your house?).
I found this picture here which seems to have a similar setup:

Spoiler

While looking at the original tiles (which is not defiled as the ones uploaded here) the black "meatball" in the middle do actually look similar to a burned out campfire. I'm still not sure but it seems more likely than a zen garden may-hap? It is listed close to the other food and kitchen related items as well.

Great response so far. I feel that these mysteries might be solvable after all!
 

 

[Balako]

A - I've seen these type of monuments around old temple areas in Japan but I've no idea what they actually are (or what they are called?)

ok sorry i cant see it very well, its either the one that comes in pair....which means a gate to ascend from low to high...like the arch gates before big shrines?? or a its a small shrine pavilion...im not quite sure

B - Same as A though I think I've seen one or two of these along rural mountain roads. Still no idea what they actually are.

that looks like the thing they place to calm spirits, hard to tell its too small and blurry for my eyes

K - Again a wild guess but maybe it something related to fishing? Could be clams on a straw mat. Seems a bit strange but maybe that is what it is?

its a drying wrack for fish and they fix nets there and stuff

M - Again a pot, obviously. But it has two sticks inside it and I believe that this might be a special kind of pot with a special kind of purpose.

looks like incense pot, they light them up and gather the ash inside, usually for the dead relatives spirit

P - This is a classic tile that have been included in the normal RTP too. But I've no idea what it is. Looks like a medieval version of a modern roadblock... made in wood? But if that's the case I doubt it actually have any historical reference? If it does however, please tell me what the heck it is. I've been wondering about it for years now.

looks like clothes drying rack, not sure though....


i hope this helps, im not an expert >.<

 

[AwesomeCool]

Still one of the top three packs.

 

[Parallax Panda]

@Balako
Thank you and of course it helps. Every little input helps in figuring this out. Hopefully in the end we'll all be wiser!

I'm not sure about the "descend from high to low" thing though. I think you might be confusing it with the red gates which are called "torii" (they are also in the samurai pack) but I already know what they are so I didn't include them. After some more crazy Google-Fu I think that both A and B are extravagant stone lanterns used at temples and/or rich peoples houses according to what I eventually found on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dr%C5%8D 

You seem pretty certain on K and it seems logical that it might be what you way it is. Is it an educated guess or did you know for sure?

About M though. It could be, it does kind of look like a huge incense pot but at the same time - it's too big!
I don't know about back in the days but every incense "pot" I've seen recently, funeral of not, have never been much bigger than this:

Spoiler

I don't know if you have the orignal tiles to look at (It's hard to see in the picture above because of what I had to do to it), but it actually looks more like an urn filled with water and two wooden scoops? It's also next to the water bucket tiles on the tile sheet (if that means anything).

Regarding P, a drying rack you say. Well, why not? I have no idea what it might otherwise be. A drying rack seems much more likely than random roadblock theory!

@AwesomeCool
Sure it. I haven't seen many games made with it though, especially not any commercial games. Do you know of any?

 

[Balako]

I'm not sure about the "descend from high to low" thing though. I think you might be confusing it with the red gates which are called "torii" (they are also in the samurai pack) but I already know what they are so I didn't include them. After some more crazy Google-Fu I think that both A and B are extravagant stone lanterns used at temples and/or rich peoples houses according to what I eventually found on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Dr%C5%8D 

just thought they used a smaller version for smaller shrines

You seem pretty certain on K and it seems logical that it might be what you way it is. Is it an educated guess or did you know for sure?

we have those in our country aswell, they look the same basically


it looked like an incense pot, i dont know how big it is in the rpgmaker!! if its a pot with water and 2 ladels it could be the thing they use to spill water around to cool the tiles down?


im sorry about the rest, i cant see them that well my eyes sight isnt that great

 

[Parallax Panda]

@Balako

Well in that case I'll take your word for the K tile. It does seem like it has something to do with fishing. Is it something you think would be placed inside a house or directly at the docks though?
 

just thought they used a smaller version for smaller shrines

Torii comes in different sizes. Sometimes they are put up and engraved with the name of someone who made a significant donation towards the temple. That's when things can get crazy!

Spoiler

As you can see these torii are not very big at all but there are so many of them! Some torii are very big though, it depends I guess.

As for the tiles being hard to see, I know and I'm sorry about that. I wasn't sure if it was ok for me to upload them without at least trying to prevent piracy and I don't want to break the forum rules. As they are now i doubt anyone would want to steal them and everyone who own the samurai pack could still identify which tile I meant by looking at the picture, then look at the original tiles which would be easier to figure out.

 

[Balako]

Well in that case I'll take your word for the K tile. It does seem like it has something to do with fishing. Is it something you think would be placed inside a house or directly at the docs though?

its placed outside, you dry fish outside and fix nets outside where there is light,but i cant see why you cant have them in a specialized fish hut of the sort if there is a bad weather area.no one would live in it though, its smelly!

As for the tiles being hard to see

i think there is something called a watermark for that, im no expert though!

 

[Parallax Panda]

I think I managed to figure out C on my own as well. I think it's something called a "Sotoba" and that tile is probably meant to be used in graveyards.
Quoting wikipedia on japanese funerals:

"The names of the deceased may also be engraved on the left side, or on a separate stone in front of the grave. Often, the name is also written on a sotoba, a separate wooden board on a stand behind or next to the grave. These sotoba may be erected shortly after death, and new ones may be added at certain memorial services. "

The graphics are low res so I could be wrong but after seeing pictures such as these where this wooden boards are put in place by some sort of stand (just like the tiles). I think its fairly safe to assume it's correct:

Spoiler

...also the tile is placed right next to the two tombstone tiles on the tile sheet.

That still leaves D, E, H, I, J, L, N, O though. No idea what exact function those tiles seem to fill so feel free to take a guess!

@Balako

Thank you

 

[Parallax Panda]

I'm bumping my own thread again to add some newfound information (although I can't be 100% sure so if you know better, please correct me).

I'm now positive that L, a tile that really confused me at first, is a "kagami mochi" ( 鏡餅). It's a traditional new years decoration in Japan and as far as I know it's traditionally only displayed and used during that time so that's something to think about if you're using this tile in your game. You can read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagami_mochi

Likewise O is most likely a "kadomatsu" (門松). This too, is a Japanese new years decoration placed in pairs outside of your home to welcome spirits and stuff. And just like with a kagami mochi, it's only used around new years so caution is advised if you want authenticity in your game. And here you can read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadomatsu

I'm still not certain about M, but I think it could be something called a "hibachi" (火鉢) in Japanese. This basically refers to a somewhat large bowl containing hot charcoal used for heating and other stuff. You can read more here if you're interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibachi


Well, there are still a few uncertainties. At this rate I might end up researching their usage by myself but I'm still hoping someone will jump in here and start dropping facts!

 

[Euphony]

But while googling for that picture I realized that F might be some kind of medieval "kitchen garden" used so you would not burn down your wooden floor (and your house?).

Okay this made me giggle. Medieval kitchen garden. xD It's called an irori and you're right, it's basically an indoor campfire for cooking. I guess us Westerners would probably describe it as a "fire pit" or a "hearth" or something like that. It's set into the floor and the cooking pot hangs over a fire in the middle, with sand around it to contain the fire. Or spaghetti. Also I think the little stick on the side is like a lever to raise and lower the pot.


Some of these tiles might not have significant meanings, they're just...stuff. Honestly D just looks like a little wooden crate to me, and J looks like an ordinary pot with a hole in the lid for escaping steam. Also the proportions on these tiles aren't 100% consistent, so if something seems too small or too large in relation to something else, I wouldn't think too hard on it.

 

[Parallax Panda]

@Euphony

Thank you for providing a name and additional information for the "kitchen garden", made it possible to find it on Wikipedia

I'm sure some things are "stuff" in this tileset. However, I still think that most of it is heavily inspired of real "stuff", and real "stuff" always have an intended usage  and a reason for it's design. The goal of this thread is to unravel all the mysteries of this tileset so that people like me who'd like to know can build their maps with more authenticity.

J might be a regular pot, but what I'd like to know is if that kind of pot (if inspired by a real one) was used for anything specific or not. D however have a stone base (hard to see in the picture above) which makes me think of it more like a stone well then a regular box. The tileset have another well-tile though which is why I'm still wondering about this one.