Rules · Structure · Use · Columns
Raise the god’s dwelling high on thick pillars planted deep in the bedrock, with crossed finials reaching up to heaven.
The Kojiki’s formula describes the shrine promised to the god of Izumo. Izumo Taisha’s taisha-zukuri is square, two bays by two, with nine pillars, the central one thickest; it is entered on the gable end by a long covered stair, through a door placed off-centre, and the deity faces sideways within. The present hall of 1744 stands about 24 m high; tradition speaks of far taller predecessors, and pillars of three trunks bound together, found in 2000, confirm a colossal hall in the thirteenth century.
Build the bracket set (puzuo) of blocks (dou) and arms (gong) crossing at right angles, each tier projecting no more than 30 fen beyond the one below; a set of n projecting tiers is called an (n + 3)-puzuo, from four to eight.
projection per tier ≤ 30 fen · rise per tier = 21 fen · puzuo = tiers + 3
Where the eaves must project far, replace the outer arms by slanting levers (ang) that run down and out beyond the bracket set and rise inward to be held down under an interior purlin.
Place the tokonoma, a shallow raised alcove for a hanging scroll and flowers, in the wall opposite or beside the entrance, with staggered shelves beside it; the place of honour is the seat in front of it.
Build the sanctuary of unpainted cypress on posts set directly in the ground, with a raised floor and veranda, a straight thatched gable roof entered on the long side, crossed finials (chigi) and ridge billets (katsuogi), and a free-standing post at each gable carrying the ridge.
Run a single great pillar up the centre of the pagoda to carry the spire, but do not let the storeys rest on it: each storey stands on its own frame, stacked around the pillar.
Cite this page Chris Paton, “Pillars rooted in the rock, finials in the sky”, The Textbook of Architecture, https://textbookofarchitecture.com/rule/izumo-pillars. Text, drawings and models licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.