Sanmon
A sanmon (
Position, function and structure
[edit]Its importance notwithstanding, the sanmon is not the first gate of the temple, and in fact it usually stands between the sōmon (outer gate) and the butsuden (lit. "Hall of Buddha", i.e. the main hall). It used to be connected to a portico-like structure called kairō (
The sanmon's size is an indicator of a Zen temple's status.[1] Structurally, the sanmon of a first rank temple as Nanzen-ji in Kyoto is a two-storied, 5x2 bay,[3] three entrance gate (see photo below).[1] Its three gates are called kūmon (
A temple of the second rank will have a two-storied, 3x2-bay, single entrance gate (see photo below). The second story of a first or second rank temple usually contains statues of Shakyamuni or of goddess Kannon, and of the 16 Rakan, and hosts periodical religious ceremonies.[1][2] The side bays of sanmon of the first two ranks may also house statues of the Niō, wardens who are in charge of repelling evil.[1]
A third rank temple will have a single-storied, lx2-bay, single entrance gate.[1]
Three ranks
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A middle rank, three-bay sanmon at Myōtsū-ji, Fukui prefecture
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A low rank sanmon at Sozen-ji in Osaka
Second story
[edit]Some images of the second story of Kōmyō-ji's sanmon in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is a high rank Jōdo sect sanmon, the largest of the Kantō region.
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The stairs to the second story
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The second story
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The second story, exit to the balcony
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Sacred images in the main room
Examples
[edit]Case 1
[edit]- Chion-in's sanmon (Kyoto) – The most important sanmon in Japan
- Nanzen-ji's sanmon (Kyoto)
- Kuonji's sanmon (Minobu)
Case 2
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- Fowler, Sherry (2007). "Review of "Daitokuji: The Visual Cultures of a Zen Monastery" by Gregory P. A. Levine" (PDF). Japanese Journal of Religious Studies (34/2).[permanent dead link]
- "Sanmon" from the Japanese Art Net User System (JAANUS) online dictionary accessed on May 2, 2009
- Iwanami Nihonshi Jiten (
岩波 日本 史 辞典 ), CD-Rom Version. Iwanami Shoten, 1999-2001.