kikuza　菊座

KEY WORD :　architecture / decorations

Also called *rokuyou 六葉. Lit. chrysanthemum seat. A decorative metal piece that consists of six slightly peaked petals that join at their widest point to form a heart-shaped pattern. The actual chrysanthemum-shaped nail cover is separately formed and attached to the six petalled base. A rounded collar maruza 円座, extends from the chrysanthemum cover. Protruding from the maruza is a rod-like part called *taru-no-kuchi 樽の口. Kikuza from the 15-17c are usually short and thick with the tip smaller than the base. After the 17c, kikuza became long and thin with a greater tip diameter than base diameter. Kikuza were most often used as nail covers *kugikakushi 釘隠 for penetrating tie beams *nageshi 長押. Sometimes they were carved from wood, and the shape adapted for use on gable pendants *gegyo 懸魚.

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*zagane 座金

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