Denpoudou　伝法堂
KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures
　
A lecture hall at Houryuuji east compound Houryuuji Touin 法隆寺東院 dating from about the mid-8c, the time when the east compound was being constructed. At present, it is 7×4 bays (25.00m ×10.68m). The plan is typical of the period style of a core *moya 母屋 surrounded by aisles *hisashi 廂 on all four sides. The ceiling is open to the underside of the roof *keshou yaneura 化粧屋根裏. Tall pillars mark the division between hisashi and moya. Rainbow beams *kouryou 虹梁 stretch from pillar to pillar over the hisashi. Frog-leg struts *kaerumata 蟇股, placed at the center of the rainbow beams, carry bearing blocks *masu 斗 which in turn grip bracket arms *hijiki 肘木 at right angles to the rainbow beams and frog-leg struts. Spanning the central core, are double rainbow beams with frog-leg struts *nijuukouryou kaerumata 二重虹梁蟇股. These structural parts appear on the gable ends wit the addition of a center pillar which is omitted at each end of the moya. The bracket complexes *kumimono 組物 are composed of large bearing blocks into which bracket arms *daito hijiki 大斗肘木 are inserted. The double eaves are called *futanoki 二軒 and the closely spaced rafters are called *shigedaruki 繁垂木. The gable roof *kirizuma-zukuri 切妻造 is tiled *hongawarabuki 本瓦葺. The building is constructed on a stone podium and the pillars are set into base stones but the floor is wooden, and was wooden even in the Nara period, when generally, floors of Buddhist halls were earthen. There have been many dismantling repairs, the latest between 1938-43. By minute investigation of all the structural members, especially the marks and nail holes on old timbers, the rebuilders were able to ascertain the original arrangements. Furthermore, they confirmed that this building donated by Lady Tachibana 橘 in the mid 8c was proven beyond doubt. The donated structure was 5 bays long with a slatted floor veranda sunokoen 簀子縁. It was reconstructed into an enclosed 7-bay hall. (for the changes made to the plan.) Because of its location, crowded behind the shichijouya 七丈屋, now called *shariden-eden 舎利殿絵殿, its importance waned so that it never underwent extensive repairs like the *Yumedono 夢殿, also located in the east compound. Therefore, its original form was well preserved.
　
Houryuuji Denpoudou 法隆寺伝法堂 (Nara)
Houryuuji Denpoudou 法隆寺伝法堂 (Nara)

　
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