Although kara (唐) can be translated as meaning "China" or "Tang", this type of roof with undulating bargeboards is an invention of Japanese carpenters in the late Heian period.[1] It was named thus because the word kara could also mean "noble" or "elegant", and was often added to names of objects considered grand or intricate regardless of origin.[2] The karahafu developed during the Heian period and is shown in picture scrolls to decorate gates, corridors, and palanquins. The first known depiction of a karahafu appears on a miniature shrine (zushi [ja]) in Shōryoin shrine at Hōryū-ji in Nara.[1]
The karahafu and its building style (karahafu-zukuri) became increasingly popular during the Kamakura and Muromachi period, when Japan witnessed a new wave of influences from the Asian continent. During the Kamakura period, Zen Buddhism spread to Japan and the karahafu was employed in many Zen temples.
Initially, the karahafu was used only in temples and aristocratic gateways, but starting from the beginning of the Azuchi–Momoyama period, it became an important architectural element in the construction of a daimyō's mansions and castles. The daimyō's gateway with a karahafu roof was reserved for the shōgun during his onari visits to the retainer, or for the reception of the emperor at shogunate establishments. A structure associated with these social connections naturally imparted special meaning.[3][4]
Gates with a karahafu roof, the karamon (mon meaning "gate"), became a means to proclaim the prestige of a building and functioned as a symbol of both religious and secular architecture.[5] In the Tokugawa shogunate, the karamon gates were a powerful symbol of authority reflected in architecture.[6]
Coaldrake, William. (1996). Architecture and Authority in Japan. London/New York: Routledge. ISBN0-415-05754-X.
Sarvimaki Marja. (2000). Structures, Symbols and Meanings: Chinese and Korean Influence on Japanese Architecture. Helsinki University of Technology, Department of Architecture. ISBN0-521-36918-5.
Sarvimaki Marja. (2003). "Layouts and Layers: Spatial Arrangements in Japan and Korea". Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, Volume 3, No. 2. Retrieved on May 30, 2009.
Parent, Mary Neighbour. (2003). Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karahafu.
February 18, 2023
karahafu, 唐破風, type, curved, gable, found, japanese, architecture, used, japanese, castles, buddhist, temples, shinto, shrines, roofing, materials, such, tile, bark, used, coverings, face, beneath, gable, flush, with, wall, below, terminate, lower, roof, drawi. Karahafu 唐破風 is a type of curved gable found in Japanese architecture It is used on Japanese castles Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines Roofing materials such as tile and bark may be used as coverings The face beneath the gable may be flush with the wall below or it may terminate on a lower roof Drawings of a karahafu Contents 1 History 2 Images 3 See also 4 Notes 5 ReferencesHistory EditAlthough kara 唐 can be translated as meaning China or Tang this type of roof with undulating bargeboards is an invention of Japanese carpenters in the late Heian period 1 It was named thus because the word kara could also mean noble or elegant and was often added to names of objects considered grand or intricate regardless of origin 2 The karahafu developed during the Heian period and is shown in picture scrolls to decorate gates corridors and palanquins The first known depiction of a karahafu appears on a miniature shrine zushi ja in Shōryoin shrine at Hōryu ji in Nara 1 The karahafu and its building style karahafu zukuri became increasingly popular during the Kamakura and Muromachi period when Japan witnessed a new wave of influences from the Asian continent During the Kamakura period Zen Buddhism spread to Japan and the karahafu was employed in many Zen temples Initially the karahafu was used only in temples and aristocratic gateways but starting from the beginning of the Azuchi Momoyama period it became an important architectural element in the construction of a daimyō s mansions and castles The daimyō s gateway with a karahafu roof was reserved for the shōgun during his onari visits to the retainer or for the reception of the emperor at shogunate establishments A structure associated with these social connections naturally imparted special meaning 3 4 Gates with a karahafu roof the karamon mon meaning gate became a means to proclaim the prestige of a building and functioned as a symbol of both religious and secular architecture 5 In the Tokugawa shogunate the karamon gates were a powerful symbol of authority reflected in architecture 6 Images Edit Karahafu on a Chōzuya pavilion at Nikkō Tōshō gu Karamon gate at Nijō Castle Three karahafu gables at Himeji Castle Matsunoo Taisha Shuri Castle in Okinawa Tainan Butokuden in Tainan Taiwan Taoyuan Shinto shrine in Taiwan Butokuden in Pingtung Taiwan Butokuden in Kaoshiung Taiwan Karahafuon administrative office of Nishi Hongan ji in Taipei Taiwan See also EditJapanese architecture Japanese castle List of roof shapesNotes Edit a b karahafu 唐破風 JAANUS Retrieved on May 30 2009 karamon 唐門 JAANUS Retrieved on June 12 2009 Sarvimaki Structures Symbols and Meanings 2000 18 2000 82 84 178 Fort Lauderdale Roofing Experts Thursday 5 November 2020 Sarvimaki Layouts and Layers 2003 Vol 3 No 2 80 108 Coaldrake 1996 197References EditCoaldrake William 1996 Architecture and Authority in Japan London New York Routledge ISBN 0 415 05754 X Sarvimaki Marja 2000 Structures Symbols and Meanings Chinese and Korean Influence on Japanese Architecture Helsinki University of Technology Department of Architecture ISBN 0 521 36918 5 Sarvimaki Marja 2003 Layouts and Layers Spatial Arrangements in Japan and Korea Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies Volume 3 No 2 Retrieved on May 30 2009 Parent Mary Neighbour 2003 Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System Wikimedia Commons has media related to Karahafu Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Karahafu amp oldid 1106654278, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
