tsumegumi 詰組

Intermediate bracket complexes. An arrangement of bracket complexes *tokyō 斗きょう associated with the Zen style *zenshūyō 禅宗様 that was introduced to Japan in the 13th century. Identical bracket complexes are set in the spaces between the bracket complexes arranged on the tops of pillars *hashira 柱. They serve as intermediate supports, as do the double tail rafters *odaruki 尾垂木, to which they are attached. The bearing blocks *masu 斗 used are smaller than the Japanese style *wayō 和様, bearing blocks, and the bracket arms *hijiki 肘木 are stacked up in such a way that the top one carries five bearing blocks. Some bearing blocks and bracket arms are carved as one structural piece. The result is an extremely compact arrangement of bracket arms.