shumidan 須弥壇

An altar made of fine timber, generally with panelling, hame 羽目, and rich moldings at its top and bottom. Carvings of flora and fauna heighten the decorative elegance. Steep steps with high railings are positioned at the front and on each side. The altars are 2 m or more across the front. Usually a railing extends around the three sides, except for the open access from the steps. The shumidan at Shōkokuji 相国寺 (1605), Kyoto is the largest extant, and has two pillars with a large diameter centered between the far edge of the side steps and the smaller pillars at the rear.