Japanese Traditional Architecture, Chidorihafu and Karahafu

Preparing to visit Japan, several friends passionate by architecture asked me about about places to see the traditional Japanese architecture. The discussion lead to this photo which I would like to share with you today, taken at the Hie Jinja from Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Here, two traditional architectural elements are harmoniously combined: the upper part of the roof, triangular in shape, is called chidorihafu (which can be literally translated as "plover gable") and has a purely aesthetic role. The lower part, with the undulated shape at the top, is called karahafu, (kara means "noble" or "elegant") and it is an architectural element invented in Japan during the Heian period.