Hiunkaku　飛雲閣

KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures

Lit. a flying cloud tower. Unique, three-storied timber building, roukaku 楼閣, built in asymmetrical design and located on the grounds of Nishihonganji 西本願寺 in Kyoto. Traditionally, it was believed to have belonged to Jurakudai 聚楽第 (built between 1584-86) for pleasure and entertainment, according to the wishes of Toyotomi Hideyoshi 豊臣秀吉 (1536-98), and transferred to Nishihonganji (c.1619). However, at present, many scholars think it more probable that Hiunkaku was built at about the same time the garden, Tekisuien 滴翠園, between 1624-44. It is situated in the southeast corner of the temple precinct and faces a pond called Sourouike 滄浪池 (blue wave pond). A boat can carry visitors across the pond and anchor beneath the first story of the building. Steps are provided to climb up to the first floor. There is an undulating gable roof over the boat entrance and the water can be seen from the open translucent sliding screens *shouji 障子. Another access to the Hiunkaku is over a long stone slab bridge. Its length on the north & south sides of the bridge is 25.8m, the east side is 11.8m and the west, 12.5m. The first story interior is in the shoin style *shoin-zukuri 書院造, with the study facing the pond. The study has two levels of floor space, of which the higher level has three mats. The study is called the Shoukenden 招賢殿 (invitation to wisdom hall) and has 7 1/2 mats with 2 1/2 mats in the alcove. Next to the study is the Hakkei-no-ma 八景の間 (a room of eight scenes), a veranda, and a tea ceremony room called Ikujaku 憶昔 (recalling old times). The second story has a Kasen-no-ma 歌仙の間 (room of great poets), named after The Thirty-six Immortal Poets Sanjuurokkasen 三十六歌仙 painted on the wooden doors and walls. It also has a raised and lower level floor. There is a lightly railed veranda around the second story. The third story, excluding a stair landing, is only eight mats in size. *Katoumado 火灯窓 (ogee shaped windows) are on the north and east sides. Shouji with diamond-shaped latticework are covered with translucent paper. The paneled ceiling has paper pasted and gold leaf pressed on it. All the building's roofs are shingled *kokerabuki 柿葺. The first story roof has an undulating gable *karahafu 唐破風, on one side, and on the opposite, northwest side, a hip-and-gable arrangement *irimoya-zukuri 入母屋造. The second story has a convex hip-and-gable roof with undulating bargeboards on three sides. The third story has a pyramidal roof *hougyou-zukuri 宝形造.

REFERENCES:

*Oukakudai 黄鶴台, *kaku 閣

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