Sōmon

Japanese architectural element

Sōmon

Sōmon (総門, lit. general gate) is the gate at the entrance of a Buddhist temple in Japan.^[1] It often precedes the bigger and more important sanmon .

References

[edit ]

^ Iwanami Kōjien (広辞苑) Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version

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Elements of Japanese architecture

Styles

Secular

Religious

Shinto	Azekura Hachiman Hiyoshi (Hie) Irimoya Ishi-no-ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Shinmei Sumiyoshi Taisha
Buddhist	Daibutsuyō Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Wayō Zenshūyō

Model of Himeji Castle
Model of Himeji Castle

Types of building

Secular

Religious

Shinto	Haiden Heiden Hokora Honden Kofun Setsumatsusha Shinto shrine Torii
Buddhist	Butsuden Dō Hōkyōintō Kyōzō Main Hall Pagoda Shichidō garan Shōrō Tahōtō

Roof styles

Structural and spatial

Gates
Approaches

Rooms

Furnishings

Partitions

Outdoor objects

Measurements

Ken
Koku
Ri
Shaku
Sun

Organizations

Related topics

Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden (rock (Zen)) Kumiko Ryokan Sentō Wabi-sabi Yabo
National Treasures	Castles Residences Shrines Temples Other structures

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Buddhist temples in Japan

Japanese Buddhist architecture

Architectonic elements	hidden roof hisashi irimoya kaerumata: see nakazonae kairō karahafu karesansui kentozuka: see nakazonae komainu katōmado mokoshi moya nakazonae Niō or Kongōrikishi sandō shichidō garan shōrō sōrin tokyō tōrō onigawara
Mon (gates)	karamon nijūmon niōmon rōmon sanmon sōmon torii
Buildings	Chinjusha chōzuya/temizuya -dō main hall (kon-dō, hon-dō, butsuden) kuri kyōzō or kyō-dō shoin
Japanese pagodas	gorintō hōkyōintō hōtō kasatōba sotōba muhōtō tahōtō
Styles	Daibutsuyō Wayō Setchūyō Shoin-zukuri Shin-Wayō Zenshūyō Ōbaku Zen architecture
Others	A-un ken

Schools and objects of worship

Major schools	Jōdo Nichiren Shingon Tendai
Zen schools	Sōtō Ōbaku Rinzai
Nanto rokushū	Jōjitsu Hossō Kusha Kegon Ritsu Sanron
Objects of worship	Amida Nyōrai Benzaiten Dainichi Nyorai Jizō Kannon Marishi-ten Shaka Nyorai Shitennō (Four Kings) Twelve Heavenly Generals (Jūni Shinshō) Yakushi Nyorai

Other elements

Implements	kei (ritual gong) mokugyō
Others	bussokuseki butsudan Glossary of Japanese Buddhism Japanese Buddhist pantheon jingū-ji miyadera saisenbako