mado　窓

KEY WORD :　architecture / general terms

Window. Many other characters for window used have been used since the 6c. For example: 窗 and 牒, 向 and 間戸 or 間門. The one in modern use is thought to mean an opening in a structure. Originally windows were constructed for lighting, ventilation and viewing outside but came to fulfil decorative purposes, too. Normally, a window is not expected to provide access to or from an edifice. An exception is a large circular window in a tea structure that can be used as an entrance-exit. Almost all buildings have windows of some kind. Exceptions include: early dwellings *tateana juukyo 竪穴住居 of the Yayoi period; some storehouses like those in the shinmei style *shinmei-zukuri 神明造 at Ise Jinguu 伊勢神宮, Mie prefecture; and in general gates. Windows are classified by shape (square, rectangle, circle), by whether the opening is completely or partially enclosed by *shouji 障子, latticework *koushi 格子, or vertical laths renji 連子, by location (high, low), by the presence of a transom *ranma 欄間. Skylight windows in tea structures are called *tsukiagemado 突上窓.

REFERENCES:

*renjimado 連子窓, *katoumado 火灯窓, *shitajimado 下地窓, *koushi irimado 格子入窓, *musoumado 無双窓, *shikishimado 色紙窓, *furosakimado 風炉先窓, *hijirimado 聖窓, *bokusekimado 墨蹟窓

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NOTES:

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