Karamon

{{Short description|Type of gate found in Japanese architecture}} {{main|Mon (architecture)}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}} [[File:Nijo Castle Karamon2.JPG|thumb|250px|A ''kara-mon'' at Nijō Castle]] The {{nihongo|'''''kara-mon''''' or '''''kara-kado'''''|唐門}} is a type of gate seen in Japanese architecture. It is characterized by the usage of ''kara-hafu'', an undulating bargeboard peculiar to Japan. ''Kara-mon'' are often used at the entrances of Japanese castles, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and have historically been a symbol of authority.

==History== {{further|Kara-hafu}} Although ''kara'' (唐) can be translated as meaning "China" or "Tang", this type of roof with undulating bargeboards first appeared in Japan during the late Heian period.<ref name=JAANUS>"[https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/karahafu.htm karahafu 唐破風]." JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.</ref> It was named thus because the word ''kara'' was associated by the Japanese with any type of ornate architecture regardless of origin.<ref name=JAANUS2>"[https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/karamon.htm karamon 唐門]." JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.</ref> The ''karahafu'' developed during the Heian period and is shown in picture scrolls to decorate gates, corridors, and palanquins. The oldest existing ''karahafu'' is found at Hōryū-ji temple.<ref name=JAANUS/>

Initially, the ''kara-hafu'' 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 ''kara-mon'' entrance 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.<ref>Sarvimaki: ''Structures, Symbols and Meanings'' (2000), 18/2000, 82–84, 178.</ref>

''Kara-mon'' would later become a means to proclaim the prestige of a building and functioned as a symbol of both religious and secular architecture.<ref>Sarvimaki: ''Layouts and Layers'' (2003), Vol 3, No. 2, 80–108.</ref> In the Tokugawa shogunate, the ''kara-mon'' gates were a powerful symbol of authority reflected in architecture.<ref>Coaldrake (1996), 197</ref>

==Variations==

===Mukai-kara-mon===

[[File:Kitano-tenmangu001.JPG|thumb|upright|A ''Mukai-kara-mon'' at Kitano Tenman-gū]]

''Mukai-kara-mon'' (向唐門) is the most common form of ''kara-mon'', and features two ''kara-hafu'' at the front and back of the gate. This type of gate may incorporate a ''kara-hafu'' in the middle of the roof, or the entire gable itself may be a curved structure.<ref name=JAANUS3>"[https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/m/mukaikaramon.htm mukaikaramon 向唐門]". JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.</ref>

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===Hira-kara-mon=== [[File:DaigojiSanpoinKaramon.jpg|thumb|upright|A ''hira-kara-mon'' at Daigo-ji]]

''Hira-kara-mon'' (平唐門) are distinguished with two ''kara-hafu'' on the left and right sides of the gate. This type of gate was originally used at palaces, and was once called ''miyuki-mon'' (御幸門).<ref name=JAANUS4>"[https://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/h/hirakaramon.htm hirakaramon 平唐門]". JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009.</ref>

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===Kara-yotsu-ashi-mon=== thumb|upright|''Yōmeimon'', a ''kara-yotsu-ashi-mon'' at Nikkō Tōshō-gū ''Kara-yotsu-ashi-mon'' (唐四脚門, "Four-legged gate") is an ornate style of ''kara-mon'' that features four undulating gables on all sides of the gate. A good example of this type of gate can be found at Nikkō Tōshō-gū. This ''kara-mon'' is decorated with 611 sculptures, including the Seven Lucky Gods and the Eight Immortals.<ref>[https://tabi-mag.jp/tg0218/ 日光東照宮・唐門]</ref>

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==See also== *Mon (architecture) *Japanese Buddhist architecture *Buddhist temples in Japan *List of National Treasures of Japan (temples)

==Notes== {{reflist}}

==References== {{refbegin}} *Coaldrake, 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). ''[http://sjeas.skku.edu/upload/200605/05_Sarvimaki%20Marja.pdf Layouts and Layers: Spatial Arrangements in Japan and Korea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302202920/http://sjeas.skku.edu/upload/200605/05_Sarvimaki%2520Marja.pdf |date=2020-03-02 }}''. Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, Volume 3, No. 2. Retrieved on May 30, 2009. *Parent, Mary Neighbour. (2003). ''[http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/ Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System]''. {{refend}}

== External links == {{commonscat|Kara-mon}}

{{Japanese architectural elements}} {{Buddhist temples in Japan}} {{Shinto shrine}}

Category:Japanese architectural features Category:Gates in Japan