Page:History of Indian and Eastern Architecture Vol 2.djvu/602

 496 JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE. BOOK IX. animals real and fabulous, and flowers of which the chrysan- themum and the peony are the favourites. The columns supporting the ceiling and roof are either circular or square with the edges rounded off as in China, and in both cases the horizontal beams resting on brackets are tenoned into the column there being no capital of any description ; the walls in the rear of the hall are panelled and, on the outside towards the loggia or gallery, one is left open between the columns for the admission of light which is, however, subdued by blinds in rich casing. The brick walls which in China are built in between the wood columns are not found in Japan, probably on account of the danger in case of earthquakes ; their place as a rule is taken by timber panelling which is protected by projecting eaves. Sometimes under the bracket frieze is a second deep band which is carved in panels of the same type as that referred to between the brackets and, if opening into the loggia or under the eaves, is pierced. The columns of the interior are generally lacquered, the upper portions being painted with patterns in diaper reproduced from embroideries or carpets, and similar to that which is found in the Chinese temples. In the sanctuary beyond the main hall these patterns are all diapered in gold as also the main portion of the beams and ceiling above, and the great altar- pieces and shrines of the Shoguns are all gilded. The most important display of these carved panels is that which is found in the immediate enclosure of the temple where the upper range will be carved with birds and flowers, the middle range with clouds and flying storks, and the lower range with geometrical devices. An example of this type of decoration is shown in Plate LXI. representing the great entrance gateway of the temple at Nikko, the work of the Toku-gawa dynasty. Here also will be noticed the overloading of the structure with enriched ornament, where the ends of the brackets are carved with dragon heads, unicorns being employed to emphasise what in the earlier temples was only a constructive detail, viz., the projecting tenons of the horizontal beams which were thus secured to the columns. The curved gables in the centre of the principal and side facades with their heavy ridge crestings have quite destroyed the simpler design as shown in the Temple at Horiuji. As a contrast to the gorgeous ostentation of the Buddhist temples and mausolea, and more especially those built during the Toku-gawa dynasty, the Shinto temples are sometimes of the greatest simplicity, and the wood employed a kind of native elm called Keyaki, is left plain, trusting to the grain for its effect, the only decorative work being the brass mounts of various kinds, including those enclosing the base of the columns employed to preserve the work when