Preserving Japan’s folk houses and other traditional structures + building arts - 
Stewardship, creative reuse, disassembly + relocation, events & workshops,
architectural study tours + artisan fellowships

The gate of a 530 year old temple in Aichi Prefecture is scheduled to be torn down in the near future. The temple gate was built 108 years ago.
 

Dimensions

Approximately 4m x 4m, with a height of 10m

Features

Gable roof and hipped roof, ceramic tile roof and built on a stone foundation. The workmansship seen in the temple gate is of extraordinary quality.

Condition

• Very good, with no major defects or distortions to the frame or roof structure

• Most of the material is zelkova, and there is very little insect damage

• Roof tiles retain a majestic appearance

• Stone cladding

• The fences on either side are in very good condition, with board fences and tiled roofs

 

It is extremely rare that a gate in such good condition is available to be preserved.

Disassembling to be relocated and rebuilt

• While many of the roof tiles may be considered to have exceeded their useful life, it may be desirable to recover those that are in good condition, and onigawara and other decorative tiles should be recovered as a matter of course. It is necessary to plan for the dismantling of the tiles, taking into consideration the rebuilding of the roof of the temple gate.

• Wooden fences on either side of the temple gate can be disassembled and rebuilt, together with their roof tiles.