karahafu torii　唐破風鳥居
KEY WORD :　architecture / shrines
　
A unique Shinto gate *torii 鳥居 in Kyoto, called itsukushima torii 厳島鳥居. It is named for its undulating top and secondary lintels *kasagi 笠木 and *shimaki 島木, which resemble the undulating gable *karahafu 唐破風, associated with traditional architecture from the 16c and after. The pillars do not have base stones and rise from the ground with a slight inward incline *uchikorobi 内転. The pillar's diameter is greater than the width of the secondary lintel and the tie beam *nuki 貫 is almost square in section and is composed of a single center piece penetrating the inner face. The outer extensions are inserted separately into the outer faces of the pillars and extend until their ends are about even with the ends of the top lintel. A strut, gakutsuka 額束, about the same width as the tie beam is placed at its center connecting the tie beam and the secondary lintel. There are indications that severe cracks appeared in the secondary lintel of the karahafu torii and they have been filled with an adhesive creating the suggestion of a separate block having been inserted into the member just above the strut. The ends of the secondary lintel curve up slightly: the under curve beginning just beyond the inner face of the pillars. In section, the secondary lintel is a wide rectangle. The top lintel is parallel to the secondary lintel but the ends of the top lintel extend well beyond the secondary. It is slightly peaked making it pentagonal in section. The ends of all members are straight-cut. Example: Itsukushima Jinja 厳島神社, Kyoto.
　
Itsukushima Jinja 厳島神社 (Kyoto)
Itsukushima Jinja 厳島神社 (Kyoto)

　
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