roumon �O�� (original) (raw)

A high gate that is often referred to as a two-storied gate, but in fact does not have two stories. Generally, it is an 8-leffed gate *hakkyakumon ���r��. The Roumon at Hannyaji �ʎ᎛ (1264) in Nara, is a 4-legged gate with a single entrance the width of the gate, The roumon has only one main roof over the whole gate in contrast to a true 2-storied gate that has a flanking roof that surrounds the whole structure above the pillars *hashira ��, and bracket complexes *tokyou �l���傤 of the first story. The roumon has no usable space in the upper area. Instead of a flanking roof, it has a very shallow-balcony with a balustrade that skirts the entire gate above the secondly pillars which are capped by bracket complexes *koshigumi ���g. These support both the balcony, the short posts and other upper structural elements which carry the weight of the roof. Roumon usually have a hip-and-gable roof *irimoya yane ���ꉮ����, covered with tile *hongawarabuki �{����, shingles *kokerabuki �`��, o r cypress bark *hiwadabuki �O�畘. The bracket complexes may be in the wayou style *wayou �a�l, or Zen style *zenshuuyou �T�@�l. The upper area may have two or three vertical muntins set in window frames, *renjimado �A�q��, or have window set in the center bay. The side bays may be covered with white plaster. There is great variety of structural detail in roumon gates.
Example: Oono Jjinja Roumon ���_�ИO�� (early Kamakura period) in Shiga prefecture. It is an 8-legged gate. Iwakisan Jinja Roumon ��؎R�_�ИO�� (1628) in Aomori prefecture, 5 x 3 bays and has 3-entances. Toudaji *Chuumon ���厛���� (1711-16) is 5 bays wide with three doors, a hip-and-gable roof *irimoya-zukuri ���ꉮ�� covered with tile hongawarabuki.