1.
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/michaelasanda-2775088-japan66-kyoto8/

2.
Nishi Honganji Temple is a large temple compound located
north west of Kyoto Station with many beautiful buildings of
historical and architectural significance. It is one of two head
temples of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism in Kyoto. Both
of these temples are called Honganji, and so are
distinguished by their location: Nishi Honganji being the
western temple, and Higashi Honganji being the eastern
temple. The Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism was founded by
the monk Shinran who lived from 1173 to 1263

3.
The Karamon is a gate of
Nishi Hongan-ji designated a
National Treasures of Japan.
It is constructed as a four-
legged gate with karahafu
gables of undulating curves
on the front and back

4.
The Karamon
is a gate of
Nishi Hongan-ji

5.
The Karamon gate has
a roof in the irimoya
style

6.
Irimoya style is a style of hip
roof sloping down on all four
sides and integrated on two
opposing sides with a gable
(the style is of Chinese origin;
it arrived from China in Japan
in the 6th century).

7.
Roofing materials such
as tile and bark may be
used as coverings. This
roof is covered by bark
shingles made from
hinoki cypress

8.
Commemoration of Shinran Shonin’s 750th Memorial
The gate dates to
1573 and was
constructed early in
the Momoyama
period (1573 –
1614)

9.
The karahafu
(kara-hafu) is a
type of gable
with a style
peculiar to
Japan. The
characteristic
shape is the
undulating curve
at the top

10.
This gable is common in
traditional architecture,
including Japanese castles,
Buddhist temples, and Shinto
shrines

11.
Although kara can be
translated as meaning
"China" or "Tang", this type
of roof with undulating
bargeboards is an invention
of Japanese carpenters in
the late Heian period

12.
The karahafu was named thus
because the word kara could
also mean "noble" or
"elegant", and was often
added to names of objects
considered grand or intricate
regardless of origin

13.
The karahafu
developed
during the
Heian period
and is shown
in picture
scrolls to
decorate
gates,
corridors, and
palanquins

14.
The first known
depiction of a
karahafu
appears on a
miniature shrine
(zushi) in
Shōryoin shrine
at Hōryū-ji in
Nara

15.
Karamon is a four-pillared gate covered by a cypress-thatched gable.
It is also nicknamed the higurashi-mon, or “Twilight Gate” because the
carvings are so beautiful that one could easily forget the time and
admire them till the sun goes down.

16.
This gate is always closed and stands there as if expecting to be
seen. The gate is decorated by sophisticated carvings that are not
only eye-catching but also have the power to dazzle your eyes

17.
You can view the inside of this
gate on the southern side of
the temple compound.
Because this gate is kept
closed, to view the outside of
this structure you will need to
leave the temple compound
and follow the walls around to
the Kitakoji lane that runs
between Nishi Honganji and
Ryukoku University

18.
Text: Internet
Pictures: Internet
Nicoleta Leu
Copyright: All the images belong to their authors
Presentation: Sanda Foişoreanu
www.slideshare.net/michaelasanda
Sound: Japan Buddhism Music
2016