shia 四阿

1　Also known as goseden 五脊殿. A pyramidal *hōgyō-zukuri 宝形造, or hipped roof *yosemune-zukuri 寄棟造, from the Nara period. In the proto-modern period it was called buden 廡殿.
Derived from the Chinese word shia meaning a hipped roof style, the shia is not a true hipped roof yosemune-zukuri, because it has no ridge *munagi 棟木. Also called shichū-zukuri 四注造, because it has four low-set triangular sections with the peak where the tips of the triangles meet. Four long posts placed in stone bases rise to support the corners of the roof. A railing encloses three sides and part of the fourth, part of which is left open for entrance. A bench is attached to the railings on three sides and part of the fourth except at the entrance area.

2　Also *azumaya 東屋. A summer house or arbor without walls, found in a garden.