Japanese traditional architecture, Kongou-gaki

The pillars of the traditional Japanese bridges and the porch pillars from the Japanese Buddhist temples are decorated with ornaments having specific meanings, often inspired by the Buddhist traditions (as I previously presented the giboshi or the gyakuren ornaments).

Today I would like to share with you a traditional architectural element with similar qualities, often found decorating the fence in front of the Nio guardians. This ornament is inspired by kongousho, the weapon held by the guardian from the right side (Agyo - in the photo), a weapon which destroys evil and at the same time represents the union between the material and spiritual worlds. The architectural element has a similar meaning, because the fence separates/connects our world (the material world) to the spiritual world of the Nio guardian...