Chokushimon 勅使門

Official explanation

The Chokushimon—the gate used specifically for the passage of the emperor or his official messengers—leads into the South Gardens. While rarely opened, this is a gate for the entrance and departure of the emperor’s retinue or his messengers. The original gate burned down in 1887, and the present gate was erected in 1913 according to a design done by renowned Kyoto architect Kameoka Suekichi (1865–1922).

Both Japanese- and Chinese-style elements are in evidence, such as cypress-bark roofing and gables in the Tang-dynasty style that form part of the lower structure of the four-pillared gate. The gables are adorned with highly decorative openwork and relief carvings incorporating the design motif of phoenix tail feathers—the symbol of resurrection and renewal—and a peony vining motif. Though the gate is intended only for use during imperial visits, it is also opened each October during a ritual procession from nearby Fukuoji Shrine.

Read the full explanation

Imperial Messengers’ Gate (Chokushimon)

The Imperial Messengers’ Gate, which faces the Shaka-dō Hall, was first built when the temple was founded in 863 and rebuilt several times afterward, most recently in 1830. Between 794 and 1868, when the emperor’s court was in Kyoto, the gate was used by imperial messengers when they entered and exited the temple compound, but today the gate is very rarely used.

Due to the proximity of the imperial court, many large temples in Kyoto have or had a chokushimon to facilitate communication with the imperial palace. Most of these gates, including the one at Eikandō, are “four-legged gates” (shikyakumon), single-story structures supported by four pillars that straddle the wall on both sides. This style of gate construction, which can also be called a “Chinese gate” (karamon) features a hip-and-gable roof (irimoya-zukuri) and undulating eaves (karahafu) on both the interior and exterior.

The roof is thatched with hinoki bark, and the eaves are carved in a karakusa pattern with images of dragons. Just under the eaves on either side of the gate are a pair of simplistically carved baku, mythological tapir-like creatures that are said to ward off bad dreams and other misfortunes.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.