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  • (-) Architecture (517)
  • Accessories (3)
  • Aristocratic Dwellings (8)
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  • Decorations (33)
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  • Gardens (52)
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  • General Terms (204)
  • Joints (18)
  • Lanterns (7)
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  • Painting (1)
  • Roofing Tiles (26)
  • Sculpture (5)
  • Shrines (29)
  • Storehouses (3)
  • Structures (34)
  • Tea Houses (31)
  • Tools (9)

Displaying 1 - 100 of 517
Title Contains Image(s) Description Keywords
ebi-no-koshi 海老の腰

Also written 蝦の腰 or 蝦腰. A type of decorative molding *kurigata 繰形, used on…

Architecture, Decorations
ebikōryō 海老虹梁 ✓

Also written 蝦虹梁.

An usually-shaped rainbow tie beam thought to resemble the back of a lobster or shrimp or an s-shape…

Architecture, General Terms
ebisubashira 恵比須柱

1 A structural post considered sacred in an Edo period vernacular house *…

Architecture, Folk Dwellings
ebisudō 夷堂

A simple structure that was usually erected in the center of a market place to house the deity *…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
ebizuka 海老束

Also written 蝦束; also hinazuka 雛束. 

A small strut with chamfered corners used between two staggered…

Architecture, General Terms
eburi-ita 柄振板 ✓

Also written 絵振板 or 恵振板.

A board cut in a decorative shape and attached at a right angle to the projecting end of a…

Architecture, General Terms
eburidai 柄振台 ✓

Also written 絵振台. Also called onigawaradai 鬼瓦台, *onidai 鬼台. 

…
Architecture, General Terms
edazuka 枝束

Lit. branch strut. Also called hōzue 方杖; hasuzuka 斜束 or nanamezuka 斜め束. Diagonal braces used in…

Architecture, General Terms
edazumi 枝炭 ✓

Lit. branch charcoal. A type of charcoal which is both ornamental and easy to ignite, used in either a sunken hearth *…

Architecture, Tea Houses
edogawara 江戸瓦

An archaic term for tiles of low quality used in Edo (now Tokyo) during the Edo period to roof tenement houses *…

Architecture, Roofing Tiles
edoguro 江戸黒 ✓

Lit. Edo black. A black plaster finish applied to the walls of fireproof mud-plastered storehouses *…

Architecture, Folk Dwellings
edoma 江戸間

A standard unit of measurement used in Edo and various towns in the Kantō 関東 region. In constructing an ordinary…

Architecture, Folk Dwellings
eitaitō 永代灯

Also jōyatō 常夜灯. 

A device to prevent the votive light in a lantern from going out.

Architecture, Lanterns
ekimon 掖門 ✓

Also written 腋門, or read *wakimon 脇門. 

A small gate…

Architecture, Gates
emadō 絵馬堂 ✓

Lit. picture horse hall. Also called emaden 絵馬殿; emadokoro 絵馬所 or gakuden 額殿 (frame hall),…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
emyōbuta 慧明蓋

The domed lid of a tea ceremony kettle with an indentation or depressed area around the knob. Sometimes called a fuji…

Architecture, Tea Houses
en-ita 縁板 ✓

The boards used to make the floor over a veranda framework. There are two common methods: kirime-en 切目縁 and …

Architecture, General Terms
en-nageshi 縁長押

Also written 椽長押; sometimes called *kirime nageshi 切目長押. A non-…

Architecture, General Terms
En'ya 園冶

Ch: Yuanye. Lit. garden building. The only extant treatise on classical Chinese garden construction. Written by the…

Architecture, General Terms, Document
en 縁

1 Also *engawa 縁側. A veranda. Formerly, en and …

Architecture, General Terms
enbashira 縁柱

Also engawabashira 縁側柱. 

Posts or pillars usually set on the floor boards *…

Architecture, General Terms
enchi 園池

Also written 苑池. Lit. garden pond. The large ponds in gardens of the Nara, Heian, and Kamakura periods. Specifically, the…

Architecture, Gardens
enchūza 円柱座

Lit. circular pillar seat. A rounded molding carved into the top of a base stone *soseki…

Architecture, General Terms
endō 円堂

Lit. circular hall. Although the literal meaning of endō is round structure (see *…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
engamachi 縁框 ✓

A heavy horizontal member attached to the outside of the veranda framework over the veranda struts *…

Architecture, General Terms
engatō 円瓦当

Also called *gatō 瓦当. The circular pendant tiles attached to semi-circular…

Architecture, Roofing Tiles
engawa 縁側 ✓

Also wirtten 掾側. The area beside or surrounding the straw matted *tatami 畳…

Architecture, General Terms
engetsukyō 円月橋 ✓

Lit. full moon bridge. A semi-circular garden bridge that, when reflected in the water below, presents the circular…

Architecture, Gardens
enkazura 縁葛

The horizontal boards positioned across the front of a veranda on top of the struts *…

Architecture, General Terms
enmimi-ita 縁耳板 ✓

Lit. veranda ear board. The outermost board on the kure-en 榑縁 type of veranda which has long floor boards running…

Architecture, General Terms
ennuki 縁貫

A penetrating tie-beam that connects and strengthens the veranda struts *enzuka…

Architecture, General Terms
ensaki chōzubachi 縁先手水鉢 ✓

Lit. end of the veranda water basin. A type of tall, cylindrical wash basin *…

Architecture, Gardens
enseishukugata chōzubachi 円星宿形手水鉢

Lit. round star type. A variety of *ensaki chōzubachi 縁先手水鉢, end of…

Architecture, Gardens
enshūgaki 遠州垣

Lit. Enshū gate. A type of projecting fence *sodegaki 袖垣 featuring upper…

Architecture, Gardens
enshūgata tōrō 遠州形灯籠

One type of lantern. Generally six-sided with an elongated canopy *kasa 笠 and…

Architecture, Lanterns
ensōdoko 円窓床 ✓

Also written 円相床; also marumadodoko 丸窓床. A circular window placed in the center of the rear wall of an alcove *…

Architecture, Tea Houses
ensōgaki 円窓垣

Lit. circular window fence. A common type of projecting fence *sodegaki 袖垣…

Architecture, Gardens
ensōhishi sodegaki 円窓菱袖垣

Lit. circular window lattice sleeve fence. A type of narrow screen fence *sodegaki…

Architecture, Gardens
ensumigi 縁隅木

Lit. veranda corner rafter. Also called sumisasu 隅扠首. 

A brace placed under the outer corners of a…

Architecture, General Terms
entsunagi 縁繋

Also written 椽繋. Short horizontal bearers that join the outer veranda posts *enzuka…

Architecture, General Terms
enza 円座

1 A matting made of straw, rushes, sedge, or cattails woven in a spiral pattern that was used for bedding,…

Architecture, Accessories
enzanseki 遠山石

Lit. distant mountain stone. The stone in an arrangement placed above or behind artificial mountains *…

Architecture, Gardens
enzuka 縁束 ✓

Also written entanbashira 縁短柱, also pronounced entsuka. Struts *tsuka…

Architecture, General Terms
eriwa 襟輪 ✓

Also called iriwa 入輪. Lit. a collar ring. A collar tenon. It has a step-like piece called a collar, cut on each…

Architecture, Joints
eriwadome 襟輪留

Also called iriwadome 入輪留 or eridome 襟留. Lit. collar miter. An angle joint *…

Architecture, Joints
etsuri 桟

Also read san. Lit. hanging branches. 

1 A sheathing made of boards and bamboo woven…

Architecture, General Terms
etsuriana 桟孔

The holes made in roofing lath to allow rope to be passed through and tied, thus making the lath secure. An example can be…

Architecture, General Terms
etsuridake 桟竹

Sometimes called *tarukidake 垂木竹: noboridake 昇竹 or sasudake…

Architecture, General Terms
eyō hijiki 絵様肘木

Bracket arms *hijiki 肘木, that are decorated with *…

Architecture, Decorations
eyō 絵様

1 A Nara and Heian periods term used to refer to any kind of design, which included a sketch for a statue…

Architecture, Decorations
eyō kurigata 絵様繰形

Also written 絵様刳形. Low relief carvings which use curved lines. The carvings are found, for example, on nosings *…

Architecture, Decorations
eyōjakuri 絵様决

A low relief architectural decoration carved into beams *hari 梁, nosings…

Architecture, Decorations
sabi さび

Also written 寂.
1 An idea of beauty particularly important in the tea ceremony and haiku 俳句…

Art History, Architecture, General Terms
sabikabe 錆壁 The finishing coat on a wall that consists of iron rust mixed with clay or plaster. Originally, old nails were boiled, and… Architecture, General Terms
sadōguchi 茶道口 ✓

Also written 茶堂口, 茶頭口; also chatateguchi 茶立口, or *katteguchi 勝手口.…

Architecture, Tea Houses
sagefuri 下振

Also called shōjiki 正直. A plumb line with a plumb bob, furiko 振子, at the lower end. The plumb bob is a…

Architecture, Tools
sagekiri 下げ切

A little used placement of the firebox *ro 炉, in a tea ceremony room *…

Architecture, Tea Houses
sagiashi 鷺足

Also sagi-no-ashi. Lit. "heron's leg." A type of long, curved leg found on a Chinese style desk, tōzukue…

Architecture, Decorations
saiben rengemon 細弁蓮華文

Lit. "narrow petal lotus motif." A motif with as many as twelve or sixteen narrow petals found on some circular pendant…

Architecture, Roofing Tiles
Saiendō 西円堂 ✓

An octagonal hall at Hōryūji 法隆寺, Nara, which was destroyed by a typhoon in 1050. The structure was rebuilt in 1250. It is…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
saijō 斎場

1 An area temporarily purified to erect temporary buildings and facilities for performing the *…

Architecture, Shrines
saikan 斎館

Also *kandachi 神館, shinkan 神館.
1 At Ise Jingū…

Architecture, Shrines
saikondō 西金堂

An image hall *kondō 金堂 situated to the west of a pagoda in temple grounds.…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
Saimon 西門

An eight-legged *hakkyakumon 八脚門, 3-bay wide, 1-entrance gate with a gable…

Architecture, Gates
Saimyōji shiorido 西明寺枝折戸

Lit. "Saimyōji 西明寺-style latticed bamboo door." One type of raised lattice door *…

Architecture, Tea Houses
sakadono 酒殿 ✓

Also misakedono 御酒殿; the prefix mi 御 is an honorific.
1 A shrine building specific to…

Architecture, Shrines
sakakibashira 逆木柱 ✓

Also sakabashira 逆柱 or sakasabashira 逆さ柱. Lit. "upside down pillar."
1 An upside down…

Architecture, Decorations
sakazukimendo 杯面戸 ✓

Also written 盃面戸. Sometimes called goki 呉器 or gokibame 呉器羽目. The space created between small bearing…

Architecture, General Terms
saku-itabei 柵板塀

A fence supported by posts along its rear side, usually with more than four posts per one bay. The facing boards are placed…

Architecture, General Terms
saku 柵

1 Fence. Read ki (also written 城) in the ancient period. A palisade of stakes aligned at regular…

Architecture, Castles
Sakuheimon 朔平門 ✓

The Sakuheimon is the center gate on the north side of Kyoto Gosho 京都御所, during the end of the Heian period. It can be seen…

Architecture, Gates
Sakuteiki 作庭記

Lit. "Treatise on Garden Making." The oldest and most revered Japanese text on garden design, it was probably…

Architecture, Gardens, Document
sama 狭間 ✓

Also read hasama. A loophole or porthole made in the wall of the keep, tower, or parapet to allow a castle to…

Architecture, Castles
samakubari 狭間配

Lit. "loophole distribution." The number of loopholes per two meter (one ken 間) interval in a castle. Also refers…

Architecture, Castles
samidare 五月雨

Lit. "fifth month rain." A geometric pattern used for fretwork muntins. The design is inspired by early summer rain, …

Architecture, Decorations
samisentsugi 三味線継 ✓ A wooden splicing joint used for a beam. The length of the joint is 3x the height of the beam and the tenon *… Architecture, Joints
samon 砂紋

Also read shamon. Lit. "sand crest." The technique of making a pattern or design in sand or gravel. The creation of…

Architecture, General Terms
san-no-tsuji 桟の辻

The junction points on a door or window frame where the top rail *kamigamachi…

Architecture, General Terms
san'yō 三葉

Lit. "three leaves." A decorative pattern carved into the shape of three leaves; used particularly for metal fittings found…

Architecture, Decorations
sanbari 桟梁 ✓

The transverse beams placed in a row at right angle to the large header beams *kabuki…

Architecture, General Terms
sandandaki 三段滝

Lit. "three-stage waterfall." One common type of garden waterfall. Through the arrangement of earth and rocks, the waterfall…

Architecture, Gardens
sando 桟戸 ✓

A simple door made of vertical planks with horizontal cross members that are about as wide as the vertical ties placed…

Architecture, General Terms
sane 実

1 A structural element or tenon that projects out from the end of a board, post, or beam. Such projecting…

Architecture, General Terms
sanehijiki 実肘木 ✓

A purlin-bearing bracket arm; one that is inserted into the small bearing blocks *makito…

Architecture, General Terms
sangarado 桟唐戸 ✓

Also read sankarado. Paneled entrance doors introduced from China in the 13th to 14th century. They are associated…

Architecture, General Terms
sangawara 桟瓦 ✓ A pantile that combines a broad concave tile *hiragawara 平瓦 and a semi-cylindrical… Architecture, Roofing Tiles
sangawarabuki 桟瓦葺 ✓

Also called jigawara 地瓦 because it is a base tile; and kanryakugawara 簡略瓦 because it combines a broad…

Architecture, Roofing Tiles
sangedatsumon 三解脱門

Also *sanmon 三門. The most famous example is the very large 21.05 m x 9.72 m gate at Zōjōji 増上寺…

Architecture, Gates
sangen-ikko 三間一戸 ✓

A 3 x 2 bay gate, often 8-legged style *hakkyakumon 八脚門, with entrance…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
sangendō 三間堂 ✓

A building with 3 bays on all four sides, commonly written 3 × 3 bays. The result is usually a square building. However,…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures
sanja-zukuri 三社造

Also called sangenyashiro or sangensha 三間社. A type of Shinto shrine. The main building *…

Architecture, Shrines
sanjū-no-tō 三重塔

Three-storied pagodas, most of which are made of wood, but a small percentage are made of stone. See *…

Architecture, Buildings, Sculpture
sanjū orekugi 三重折釘 ✓

A nail that is bent in three tines at a ninety degree angle. Like the twice bent nail *…

Architecture, General Terms
sanjūbari 三重梁 ✓

Roof framework composed of struts separating three tiers of transverse beams, each proportionately shortened in length than…

Architecture, General Terms
sanjūdana 三重棚 ✓

1 Triple shelves. Shelves which now are rarely seen in a tea ceremony room except at Nishihonganji…

Architecture, Tea Houses
sankaku tōrō 三角灯篭

A variation on the *yukimi dōrō 雪見灯籠. This type of lantern is found in the…

Architecture, Lanterns
sankō tōrō 三光灯籠

An unusual lantern style found along the pond at Katsura Rikyū 桂離宮, Kyoto. It is a small, rectangular box-shaped lantern…

Architecture, Lanterns
sankoshomon 三鈷杵文

Lit. "three-prong pounder motif." Also called *kongōsho 金剛杵 (vajra pounder,…

Architecture, Roofing Tiles
sankyōmon 三きょう門

Also called sanren āchimon 三連アーチ門. A gate with three arches, made within a stone wall.

Architecture, Gates
sanmaidō 三昧堂

Also called nenbutsu sanmaidō 念仏三昧堂. Nenbutsu 念仏 prayers are recited, to obtain unity with *…

Architecture, Buildings, Structures

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JAANUS is the on-line Dictionary of Japanese Architectural and Art Historical Terminology compiled by Dr. Mary Neighbour Parent.

Originally built by the Atsumi International Scholarship Foundation, it is now hosted and maintained by the Media Center for Art History at Columbia University