Karahafu

Although kara (唐) can be translated as meaning "China" or "Tang", this type of roof with undulating bargeboards is an invention of Japanese carpenters in the late Heian period."[http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/karahafu.htm karahafu　唐破風]." JAANUS. Retrieved on May 30, 2009. It was named thus because the word kara could also mean "peculiar" or "elegant", and was often added to names of objects considered grand or intricate regardless of origin."[http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/k/karamon.htm karamon　唐門]". JAANUS. Retrieved on June 12, 2009. The karahafu developed during the Heian period and is shown in picture scrolls to decorate gates, corridors, and palanquins. The first known depiction of a karahafu appears on a miniature shrine ({{ill|zushi (shrine)|lt=zushi|ja|厨子}}) in Shōryoin shrine at Hōryū-ji in Nara.

The karahafu and its building style (karahafu-zukuri) became increasingly popular during the Kamakura and Muromachi period, when Japan witnessed a new wave of influences from the Asian continent. During the Kamakura period, Zen Buddhism spread to Japan and the karahafu was employed in many Zen temples.

Initially, the karahafu was used only in temples and aristocratic gateways, but starting from the beginning of the Azuchi–Momoyama period, it became an important architectural element in the construction of a daimyō{{'}}s mansions and castles. The daimyō's gateway with a karahafu roof was reserved for the shōgun during his onari visits to the retainer, or for the reception of the emperor at shogunate establishments. A structure associated with these social connections naturally imparted special meaning.Sarvimaki: Structures, Symbols and Meanings (2000), 18/2000, 82–84, 178.

Gates with a karahafu roof, the karamon (mon meaning "gate"), became a means to proclaim the prestige of a building and functioned as a symbol of both religious and secular architecture.Sarvimaki: Layouts and Layers (2003), Vol 3, No. 2, 80–108. In the Tokugawa shogunate, the karamon gates were a powerful symbol of authority reflected in architecture.Coaldrake (1996), 197

Image:Nikko Toshogu Suibansha-M8471.jpg|Karahafu on a Chōzuya pavilion at Nikkō Tōshō-gū

Image:Nijo Castle Karamon1.JPG|Karamon gate at Nijō Castle

Image:Himeji Castle M4690.jpg|Three karahafu gables at Himeji Castle

Image:Matsunoo Shrine.jpg|Matsunoo Taisha

Image:Naha Shuri Castle16s5s3200.jpg|Shuri Castle in Okinawa

Image:Tainan Taiwan Martial-Art-Hall Butokuden-01.jpg|Tainan Butokuden in Tainan, Taiwan

Image:TheAdministrationOfficeOfTouyanMartyrsShrine_1.jpg|Taoyuan Shinto shrine in Taiwan

Image:演武場-1.jpg|Butokuden in Pingtung, Taiwan

Image:武德殿(今).JPG|Butokuden in Kaoshiung, Taiwan

Image:臺北西本願寺樹心會館.jpg|Karahafu on administrative office of Nishi Hongan-ji in Taipei, Taiwan

• Japanese architecture
• Japanese castle
• List of roof shapes

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• Coaldrake, William. (1996). Architecture and Authority in Japan. London/New York: Routledge. {{ISBN|0-415-05754-X}}.
• Sarvimaki Marja. (2000). Structures, Symbols and Meanings: Chinese and Korean Influence on Japanese Architecture. Helsinki University of Technology, Department of Architecture. {{ISBN|0-521-36918-5}}.
• Sarvimaki Marja. (2003). "[http://sjeas.skku.edu/upload/200605/05_Sarvimaki%20Marja.pdf Layouts and Layers: Spatial Arrangements in Japan and Korea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302202920/http://sjeas.skku.edu/upload/200605/05_Sarvimaki%2520Marja.pdf |date=2020-03-02 }}". Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, Volume 3, No. 2. Retrieved on May 30, 2009.
• Parent, Mary Neighbour. (2003). [http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/ Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System].

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{{commons category|Kara-hafu|Karahafu}}

{{Japanese architectural elements}}

{{Buddhist temples in Japan}}

{{Shinto shrine}}

Category:Japanese architectural features

Category:Roofs