sōmon 総門

1　The main entrance gate for many Zen temples. They are large, single-storied, 8-legged or 4-legged gates of various styles. They are located in front of a high gate called *sanmon 三門. See *butsumon 仏門, *sangedatsumon 三解脱門.

Zuiganji Sōmon 瑞巌寺総門 (Miyagi)

2　A generic name for the large outermost gate that serves as the formal entrance to an aristocratic dwelling or temple precinct. Heike monogatari 平家物語 (The Tale of Heike, completed between 1219-33) refers to a Sanjō omote-no-sōmon 三条表の総門, which translates as the main gate in front of the Sanjō mansion.