Keywords
Architecture
General Terms
A beam set parallel to the eave purlin which functions like a fulcrum to support and absorb the weight of a beam called *gagyōbane 丸桁桔, which is joined at right angle to the eave purlins by a tenon and mortise *hozoana ほぞ穴. During the Edo period, many bracket complexes *tokyō 斗きょう lost their structural significance and instead became elaborate decorative elements. In turn the load-bearing capacity of the eave purlin *gagyō 丸桁 was weakened necessitating the addition of kumimono-oase.