hōdateguchi 方立口

Also hōtateguchi. An entrance to a tea ceremony room *chashitsu 茶室 with paving stones in front. The door frame is formed by a strong structural pillar on one side and on the opposite side a small post called *hōdate 方立, which is sometimes made of bamboo. A lintel is placed on the top which is joined to the pillar and the small post. The inside dimensions of the entrance are about 153 cm high and 40 cm wide. The lintel is frequently extended for decorative or structural purposes. This type of entrance is often used as a *sadōguchi 茶道口, from which the tea master or host enters and exits the tea room. Example: En'an 燕庵, Kyoto.