kazarikanagu　飾金具

KEY WORD :　architecture / decorations

Ornamental metal fittings. Metalwork pieces *kanagu 金具, attached to parts of a building or to architectural fittings *tategu 建具, for decoration and reinforcement. Often iron or copper, but other metals such as gilt bronze were also used. Similar ornaments made of wood, stone, or clay can also be called kazarikanagu. Methods of decoration included openwork *sukashibori 透彫, hairline engraving *kebori 毛彫, and inlaid mirrors and precious stones: arabesque patterns *karakusamon 唐草文 were frequently used. *Koguchi kanagu 木口金具 are used to decorate and protect the ends of rafters, and the end of the brace *hirageta 平桁 and the handrail *hokogi 架木 on a balustrade *kouran 高欄. Long narrow ornamental fittings *hassou kanagu 八双金具 are nailed horizontally to a doorframe, or the frame of a pedestal *daiza 台座. Metal fittings known as obikanagu 帯金具 are found on right-angled joints in ceiling coffers, frame-members *kamachi 框, and pressing tie rails *nageshi 長押. Ornamental fittings concealing nails *kugikakushi 釘隠 are made in various shapes, such as the four-petalled *shiyou 四葉, six-petalled *rokuyou 六葉, and eight-petalled *hachiyou 八葉. These are used on doors, pillars, and pressing tie rails. Outstanding early examples of kazarikanagu can be seen on the *Tamamushi no zushi 玉虫厨子 owned by Houryuuji 法隆寺, Nara (mid-7c). This lacquered-wood miniature shrine has numerous metal decorations on beam ends and structural timbers, ornamented with openwork honeysuckle-arabesque patterns *nindou karakusamon 忍冬唐草文 and pearl motif *renjumon 連珠文.

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