katoumado　火灯窓

KEY WORD :　architecture / general terms

Also written 花頭窓. A synonym for genjimado 源氏窓. The name is derived from the window in the room called Genji-no-ma 源氏の間 at Ishiyamadera Hondou 石山寺本堂, Shiga prefecture. A window with a special curvilinear top part called *katou kyokusen 火灯曲線 or simply *katou 火灯. The window has an ogee-type pointed top with a series of S-like curves on either side of the peak. It dates from end of the Muromachi period to the Momoyama period. A katoumado is mainly associated with Zen style *zenshuuyou 禅宗様 temple buildings. The oldest extant example of this window can be found in the Engakuji *Shariden 円覚寺舎利殿 in Kanagawa prefecture. It is thought to reflect the Chinese style perfectly. From the latter quarter of the 16c onward, the use of katoumado appears in temple and shrine buildings, castles and dwellings. Katoumado are seldom seen in the rustic type of tea ceremony houses. From the early 17c onward, ogee and S-like curves became higher and deeper. The vertical frames were widened and sometimes flared toward the base. Some were embellished with metal ornamentation. Over time, the frame became almost circular. Example: Nishihonganji Shoin Taimenjo 西本願寺書院対面所 (ca 1624) Kyoto. The tendency to develop new shapes resulted in the warabikatou 蕨火灯 where the top of the frame on each side curves so that the ends meet in the center resembling the shapes of curled bracken sprouts. This can be seen at Daitokuji Kohouan 大徳寺孤篷庵 (late 18c) Kyoto.

Kenchouji Butsuden 建長寺仏殿 (Kanagawa)

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