Chigi (千木, 鎮木, 知木, 知疑), Okichigi (置千木) or Higi (氷木) are forked roof finials found in Japanese and Shinto architecture. Chigi predate Buddhist influence and are an architectural element endemic to Japan.[1] They are an important aesthetic aspect of Shinto shrines, where they are often paired with katsuogi, another type of roof ornamentation. Today, chigi and katsuogi are used exclusively on Shinto buildings and distinguish them from other religious structures, such as Buddhist temples in Japan.
Chigi with katsuogi billets, Sumiyoshi-jinja, Hyōgo
Chigi are thought to have been employed on Japanese buildings starting from the 1st century AD.[2] Their existence during the Kofun period (250–538 AD) is well documented by numerous artifacts.[3] Measurements for chigi were mentioned in an early document, the Taishinpō Enryaku Gishikichō (太神宝延暦儀式帳), written in 804 AD.
The evolutionary origins of the chigi are not known. One theory is that they were simply interlocking bargeboard planks that were left uncut. Another is that they were part of a support system anchored on the ground to stabilize the roof.[4] Yet another theory proposes that they were used to "pinch" and hold thatch roofing together.[5] Evidence of this can be seen in minka, or common traditional homes, where two interlocking timbers are often found at the roof gables. However, the only certain fact is that chigi were originally a working part of the structure, but as building techniques improved, their function was lost and they were left as decorations.
Chigi were likely only to have decorated the homes and warehouses of powerful families, and more decorations signified higher rank. This tradition continued until relatively recent times. In the 17th to 19th centuries, the legal code dictated how many chigi were allowed on building roofs in accordance with the owner's social rank. Today, chigi are found only on Shinto shrines.
Chigi may be built directly into the roof as part of the structure, or simply attached and crossed over the gable as an ornament. The former method is believed to closer resemble its original design, and is still used in older building methods such as shinmei-zukuri, kasuga-zukuri, and taisha-zukuri. Chigi that are not built into the building are crossed, and sometimes cut with a slight curve. While chigi are predominantly placed only at the ends of the roof, this method allows them to sometimes be placed in the middle as well.
More ornate chigi, such as at Ise Shrine, are cut with one or two kaza-ana, or "wind-slots", and a third open cut at the tip, giving it a forked appearance. Gold metal coverings serve both protective and ornamental purposes. Usually, if the tops are cut vertically, the enshrined kami is a male, otherwise a female.[6]
The katsuogi, a short decorative log, is often found behind the chigi. Depending on the building, there may be only one katsuogi accompanying the chigi, or an entire row along the ridge of the roof.
The angle at which the chigi faces and the number of katsuogi the building contains are used to identify the gender of the kami enshrined within. Upward-facing, with an even number of katsuogi indicate a female kami. Outward-facing chigi, with an odd number of katsuogi indicate a male kami.[7] This is not a hard and fast rule, as there are exceptions (such as the shrines in Ise Grand Shrine.)
^Bocking, Brian (1997). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. ISBN978-0-7007-1051-5.
^"男神様と女神様 – kinoieブログ" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-08-08.
References
Fletcher, Banister, Sir. (1996). A History of Architecture. Architectural Press. ISBN0-7506-2267-9.
Lucas, B. (2002, May 7). History and Symbolism in Shinto Shrine Architecture[permanent dead link]. Harvey Mudd College Web. Retrieved June 1, 2009
March 04, 2023
chigi, architecture, chigi, 千木, 鎮木, 知木, 知疑, okichigi, 置千木, higi, 氷木, forked, roof, finials, found, japanese, shinto, architecture, chigi, predate, buddhist, influence, architectural, element, endemic, japan, they, important, aesthetic, aspect, shinto, shrines,. Chigi 千木 鎮木 知木 知疑 Okichigi 置千木 or Higi 氷木 are forked roof finials found in Japanese and Shinto architecture Chigi predate Buddhist influence and are an architectural element endemic to Japan 1 They are an important aesthetic aspect of Shinto shrines where they are often paired with katsuogi another type of roof ornamentation Today chigi and katsuogi are used exclusively on Shinto buildings and distinguish them from other religious structures such as Buddhist temples in Japan Chigi with katsuogi billets Sumiyoshi jinja Hyōgo Contents 1 Origin 2 Design 3 Names 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 Notes 7 ReferencesOrigin EditChigi are thought to have been employed on Japanese buildings starting from the 1st century AD 2 Their existence during the Kofun period 250 538 AD is well documented by numerous artifacts 3 Measurements for chigi were mentioned in an early document the Taishinpō Enryaku Gishikichō 太神宝延暦儀式帳 written in 804 AD Kamakura gu The evolutionary origins of the chigi are not known One theory is that they were simply interlocking bargeboard planks that were left uncut Another is that they were part of a support system anchored on the ground to stabilize the roof 4 Yet another theory proposes that they were used to pinch and hold thatch roofing together 5 Evidence of this can be seen in minka or common traditional homes where two interlocking timbers are often found at the roof gables However the only certain fact is that chigi were originally a working part of the structure but as building techniques improved their function was lost and they were left as decorations Chigi were likely only to have decorated the homes and warehouses of powerful families and more decorations signified higher rank This tradition continued until relatively recent times In the 17th to 19th centuries the legal code dictated how many chigi were allowed on building roofs in accordance with the owner s social rank Today chigi are found only on Shinto shrines Design Edit Bargeboard chigi at Ise Shrine Chigi may be built directly into the roof as part of the structure or simply attached and crossed over the gable as an ornament The former method is believed to closer resemble its original design and is still used in older building methods such as shinmei zukuri kasuga zukuri and taisha zukuri Chigi that are not built into the building are crossed and sometimes cut with a slight curve While chigi are predominantly placed only at the ends of the roof this method allows them to sometimes be placed in the middle as well More ornate chigi such as at Ise Shrine are cut with one or two kaza ana or wind slots and a third open cut at the tip giving it a forked appearance Gold metal coverings serve both protective and ornamental purposes Usually if the tops are cut vertically the enshrined kami is a male otherwise a female 6 The katsuogi a short decorative log is often found behind the chigi Depending on the building there may be only one katsuogi accompanying the chigi or an entire row along the ridge of the roof The angle at which the chigi faces and the number of katsuogi the building contains are used to identify the gender of the kami enshrined within Upward facing with an even number of katsuogi indicate a female kami Outward facing chigi with an odd number of katsuogi indicate a male kami 7 This is not a hard and fast rule as there are exceptions such as the shrines in Ise Grand Shrine Names EditNames for chigi can vary from region In Kyoto Nara Prefecture and Hiroshima they are called uma 馬 In parts of Toyama Osaka Kōchi Tokushima and Miyazaki prefectures they are called umanori 馬乗 in some areas of Yamagata Miyagi Yamanishi Hiroshima and Kōchi prefectures they are called kurakake 鞍掛 Gallery Edit Nishioka Hachiman gu Prominent chigi at Udamikumari Shrine The Honden of Kibitsu Shrine Chigi built in the shinmei zukuri styleSee also EditGlossary of Shinto for terms concerning Shinto and Shinto architecture Notes Edit Fletcher 1996 page 724 chigi 千木 JAANUS Retrieved May 09 2009 Watanabe Yasutada 1974 Shinto art Ise and Izumo shrines New York Tokyo Weatherhill Heibonsha p 123 Japanese Shinto Shrine Archived from the original on August 7 2007 Retrieved May 9 2009 Lucas 2002 page 5 Bocking Brian 1997 A Popular Dictionary of Shinto Routledge ISBN 978 0 7007 1051 5 男神様と女神様 kinoieブログ in Japanese Retrieved 2021 08 08 References EditFletcher Banister Sir 1996 A History of Architecture Architectural Press ISBN 0 7506 2267 9 Lucas B 2002 May 7 History and Symbolism in Shinto Shrine Architecture permanent dead link Harvey Mudd College Web Retrieved June 1 2009 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chigi architecture amp oldid 1086160990, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
