The rōmon (楼門, lit. tower gate) is one of two types of two-storied gates used in Japan (the other one being the nijūmon, see photo in the gallery below).[1] Even though it was originally developed by Buddhist architecture, it is now used at both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Its otherwise normal upper story is inaccessible and therefore offers no usable space. It is in this respect similar to the tahōtō (a two-storied pagoda) and the multi-storied pagoda, neither of which offers, in spite of appearances, usable space beyond the first story.[2] In the past, the name also used to be sometimes applied to double-roof gates.[3]
This extremely common single-roof gate was developed from the double-roofed nijūmon, replacing the flanking roof above the first floor with a very shallow balcony with a balustrade that skirts the entire upper story.[4][5] Therefore, while the nijūmon has a series of brackets (tokyō) supporting the roof's eaves both at the first and at the second story, in the rōmon at the first floor these brackets just support the balcony, and have a different structure.[6] The tokyō are usually three-stepped (mitesaki), but at the first floor they lack tail rafters.[7]
Rōmon structure can vary greatly in its details. The upper area behind the balustrade for example can have muntined windows or a single window in the center bay.[4] Side bays can be covered with white plaster. Rōmon usually, but not always, have a hip-and-gable (irimoya) roof.[4] Dimensions go from Tōdai-ji's 5 bays to the more common 3-bays,[1] down to even one bay.
Fujita Masaya, Koga Shūsaku, ed. (April 10, 1990). Nihon Kenchiku-shi (in Japanese) (September 30, 2008 ed.). Shōwa-dō. ISBN4-8122-9805-9.
Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004]. The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing. ISBN978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved 2009-11-11.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rōmon.
December 18, 2023
rōmon, rōmon, 楼門, tower, gate, types, storied, gates, used, japan, other, being, nijūmon, photo, gallery, below, even, though, originally, developed, buddhist, architecture, used, both, buddhist, temples, shinto, shrines, otherwise, normal, upper, story, inacc. The rōmon 楼門 lit tower gate is one of two types of two storied gates used in Japan the other one being the nijumon see photo in the gallery below 1 Even though it was originally developed by Buddhist architecture it is now used at both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines Its otherwise normal upper story is inaccessible and therefore offers no usable space It is in this respect similar to the tahōtō a two storied pagoda and the multi storied pagoda neither of which offers in spite of appearances usable space beyond the first story 2 In the past the name also used to be sometimes applied to double roof gates 3 Rōmon at Hannya ji a National Treasure Note the absence of stairs to the second story This extremely common single roof gate was developed from the double roofed nijumon replacing the flanking roof above the first floor with a very shallow balcony with a balustrade that skirts the entire upper story 4 5 Therefore while the nijumon has a series of brackets tokyō supporting the roof s eaves both at the first and at the second story in the rōmon at the first floor these brackets just support the balcony and have a different structure 6 The tokyō are usually three stepped mitesaki but at the first floor they lack tail rafters 7 Rōmon structure can vary greatly in its details The upper area behind the balustrade for example can have muntined windows or a single window in the center bay 4 Side bays can be covered with white plaster Rōmon usually but not always have a hip and gable irimoya roof 4 Dimensions go from Tōdai ji s 5 bays to the more common 3 bays 1 down to even one bay Contents 1 Gallery 2 See also 3 References 4 BibliographyGallery edit nbsp A rōmon Note the single roof nbsp A nijumon Note the double roof See also editMon architecture References edit a b Fujita amp Koga 2008 pp 84 85 Fujita amp Koga 2008 p 79 Iwanami Nihonshi Jiten a b c Jaanus Roumon Young amp Young 2007 p 19 Hamashima Masashi 1999 Jisha Kenchiku no Kanshō Kiso Chishiki in Japanese Tokyo Shibundō pp 105 107 For details see the article TokyōBibliography editIwanami Nihonshi Jiten 岩波日本史辞典 CD Rom Version Iwanami Shoten 1999 2001 in Japanese Roumon JAANUS Japanese Architecture and Art Net User System Retrieved 2009 06 19 Fujita Masaya Koga Shusaku ed April 10 1990 Nihon Kenchiku shi in Japanese September 30 2008 ed Shōwa dō ISBN 4 8122 9805 9 Young David Young Michiko 2007 2004 The art of Japanese architecture Architecture and Interior Design illustrated revised ed Tuttle Publishing ISBN 978 0 8048 3838 2 Retrieved 2009 11 11 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rōmon Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rōmon amp oldid 1147028231, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
