Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/596

49 i JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE. BOOK IX. CHAPTER V. Japanese Temples at Horiuji, Nara, and Nikko Pagodas Palaces Domestic Architecture. THE Japanese temples, like those in China, consist of a number of isolated structures situated generally within three enclosures, the number of these structures and their dimensions varying according to the importance of the temple and its requirements, some of them not being found in those temples built for the Shinto religion ; the architecture of the latter is also much simpler, and plain white Keyaki wood posts are employed to carry the roofs which, in the earlier examples and still in temples of small importance, are covered with thatch only ; the Buddhist temples, on the other hand, are not only richly painted, lacquered and gilded, but are enriched with carving of the most elaborate description. In the selection of the sites for their temples, ascending ground, often the side of a hill, would seem to be preferred, not only to obtain a greater eminence for the main shrine Hondo (Hondo if Buddhist, Honden if in a Shinto temple), but to give more dignity to the approach up wide flights of steps, between avenues of trees alternating with stone or bronze memorial lanterns. Generally speaking, the outer enclosure consists only of a low wall with wood fence ; the second was of more importance, the enclosure sometimes taking the form of a covered promenade for the priests, and it was entered through a magnificent gateway ( Yd-mei-mon) in two storeys, the upper one used as a muniment room. The third enclosure in which the temple was placed consisted of a lofty screen wall panelled and enriched with pierced screens elaborately carved and covered with a tile roof with projecting eaves on both sides ; in this case the entrance gateway might consist of a porch only (Kara-mon) with extremely rich decora- tions. In all cases the gateways are preceded by flights of steps varying in number according to the slope of the site. This was the usual arrangement in the plans of both Shintd and Buddhist temples, but it was sometimes departed from in cases where the irregularity of the site called for a more picturesque grouping of the several structures of which the Japanese artist never failed to avail himself. This grouping is shown in the woodcut No. 509, a reproduction of one of the