iwayadou　岩屋堂

KEY WORD :　architecture / buildings & structures

A temple hall built into a natural grotto, or a grotto cut from rock high up on the face of a cliff or steep slope. One method of construction is to build a wooden structure attached to the surface of the cliff in order to create a worship area *gejin 外陣, in front of the grotto where the Buddhist statues are placed. In this case, a steep winding path leads to a level area close to the entrance. Another construction method is to construct a series of wooden steps at a right angle to the cliff-face enabling the worshippers to enter the grotto directly. The Fudou-in Iwayadou 不動院岩屋堂 (14c) in Tottori prefecture, is a complete building erected inside a cave. It is 3×3 bays (4.99�u), excluding the veranda. The veranda extends across the front and facing of the building, and partially along the right side where steps are built. Boat-shaped brackets *funahijiki 舟肘木, are placed at the front corners and on the posts in between. The roof is hip-and-gable *irimoya-zukuri 入母屋造, in front but the back is a boarded gable type *kirizuma-zukuri 切妻造. The roofing is made of rather thick, long boards split along the wood grain *tochibuki 栩葺. Closely spaced rafters *shigedaruki 繁垂木, and double eaves *futanoki 二軒, are used only across the front. The flying rafters *hien daruki 飛檐垂木, are exceptionally long and give the impression of extended bargeboards *sugaruhafu 縋破風. The sides and rear have widely spaced rafters and single eaves. The structure is supported by a complex of tall posts and penetrating tie beams *tsunagibari 繋梁.

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