Rōmon

The rōmon (楼門, lit. tower gate) is one of two types of two-storied gates used in Japan (the other one being the nijūmon, see photo in the gallery below).^[1] Even though it was originally developed by Buddhist architecture, it is now used at both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Its otherwise normal upper story is inaccessible and therefore offers no usable space. It is in this respect similar to the tahōtō (a two-storied pagoda) and the multi-storied pagoda, neither of which offers, in spite of appearances, usable space beyond the first story.^[2] In the past, the name also used to be sometimes applied to double-roof gates.^[3]

This extremely common single-roof gate was developed from the double-roofed nijūmon, replacing the flanking roof above the first floor with a very shallow balcony with a balustrade that skirts the entire upper story.^[4][5] Therefore, while the nijūmon has a series of brackets (tokyō) supporting the roof's eaves both at the first and at the second story, in the rōmon at the first floor these brackets just support the balcony, and have a different structure.^[6] The tokyō are usually three-stepped (mitesaki), but at the first floor they lack tail rafters.^[7]

Rōmon structure can vary greatly in its details. The upper area behind the balustrade for example can have muntined windows or a single window in the center bay.^[4] Side bays can be covered with white plaster. Rōmon usually, but not always, have a hip-and-gable (irimoya) roof.^[4] Dimensions go from Tōdai-ji's 5 bays to the more common 3-bays,^[1] down to even one bay.

Gallery

• 
  A rōmon. Note the single roof.
• 
  A nijūmon. Note the double roof.

See also

• Mon (architecture)

References

Bibliography

• Iwanami Nihonshi Jiten (岩波日本史辞典), CD-Rom Version. Iwanami Shoten, 1999-2001 (in Japanese)
• "Roumon". JAANUS – Japanese Architecture and Art Net User System. Retrieved 2009-06-19.
• Fujita Masaya, Koga Shūsaku, ed. (April 10, 1990). Nihon Kenchiku-shi (in Japanese) (September 30, 2008 ed.). Shōwa-dō. ISBN 4-8122-9805-9.
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004]. The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved 2009-11-11.

Styles

Secular	Azekura Buke Gassho Giyōfū Hirairi Imperial Crown Style Jutaku Omoya Shinden Shoin Sukiya
Religious	Shinto Azekura Hachiman Hiyoshi (Hie) Irimoya Ishi-no-ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Shinmei Sumiyoshi Taisha Buddhist Daibutsuyō Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Wayō Zenshūyō

Types of building

Secular	Castle Chashitsu Kura Machiya Minka Yagura
Religious	Shinto Haiden Heiden Hokora Honden Kofun Setsumatsusha Shinto shrine Torii Buddhist Butsuden Dō Hōkyōintō Kyōzō Main Hall Pagoda Shichidō garan Shōrō Tahōtō

Roof stylesStructural and spatialRoomsFurnishingsPartitionsOutdoor objectsMeasurementsOrganizationsRelated topics

Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden (rock (Zen)) Kumiko Ryokan Sentō Wabi-sabi Yabo
National Treasures	Castles Residences Shrines Temples Other structures