Seen from a distance, a kemuridashi-yagura looks like a miniature tower built on the roof, hence the name hinting to yagura turrets.

However, this is not just a roof adornment, it is actually an opening designed to allow the dissipation of smoke. In the medieval Japan, the chimney was unknown, so the smoke was evacuated either by opening the doors or by using such a ceiling opening, photographed at the Sugiyama house in Tondabayashi Jinaimachi.

Sugiyama house, Tondabayashi Jinaimachi

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Simply beautiful Japanese scenes, Red lanterns and the sacred bridge