Kyoto's National Treasure Karamon

Mukai-karamon and hira-karamon

"Karamon" is a general name for gates with a karahafu. A karahafu is a curved gable whose center arches up like a bow and whose ends curve back to near horizontal, and the rafters (taruki) follow the same curve. Although it contains the character 唐 (kara, "Tang" or "Chinese"), it does not necessarily mean Chinese style; it indicates the use of this curved gable. Such gates are often placed at the entrances of monzeki temples (temples headed by imperial or noble abbots) or in front of abbot's quarters (hōjō).

The name depends on where the karahafu is. A gate that shows its karahafu at the front and back, that is, in the direction you pass through, is a mukai-karamon (向唐門), while a gate with karahafu on its left and right sides (the gable ends), so that from the front you see a long horizontal eave, is a hira-karamon (平唐門). Among Kyoto City's National Treasures, the karamon of Hongan-ji, Daitoku-ji, and Toyokuni Shrine are mukai-karamon, and that of Daigo-ji Sanbō-in is a hira-karamon. Even among those with karahafu at the front and back, details differ from gate to gate: the karamon of Hongan-ji and Toyokuni Shrine have irimoya (hip-and-gable) sides, while Daitoku-ji's has a kirizuma (gabled) roof with karahafu added to the front and back eaves.

Mukai-karamon vs. Hira-karamon (Schematic Diagram)

Four National Treasure Karamon

Of the National Treasure buildings in Kyoto City, four are karamon: Hongan-ji Karamon, Daitoku-ji Karamon, Toyokuni Shrine Karamon, and Sanbō-in Karamon. All four are classified as Momoyama period (1573–1614), and all have cypress-bark (hiwadabuki) roofs. They became National Treasures on March 29, 1952 (Daitoku-ji), March 31, 1953 (Hongan-ji and Toyokuni Shrine), and March 20, 1954 (Sanbō-in).

The three at Nishi Hongan-ji, Daitoku-ji, and Toyokuni Shrine are called the "Three Karamon of Kyoto." The karamon of Daigo-ji Sanbō-in is not included in that name.

Relocation records and traditions

Carvings and colors of the four

The Hongan-ji Karamon is covered with Momoyama-period decorative carvings, and because people forget that the sun is setting while looking at them, it is also called the "Higurashi-mon" (日暮らし門, Sunset Gate). The Daitoku-ji Karamon now faces south as the front gate of the Hōjō and is also known as the "Higurashi-no-mon" (日暮の門).

The whole karamon of Toyokuni Shrine (豊国神社, Toyokuni Jinja; also read "Hōkoku Jinja") was originally coated in black lacquer, and the figures carved in high relief were decorated with gold leaf and colors, but today only faint traces of color remain. The plaque at the center of the gate bears writing by Emperor Go-Yōzei.

When the Sanbō-in Karamon was built, the whole gate was lacquered black, and its four large chrysanthemum and paulownia crests were covered in gold leaf. Repairs that took about a year and a half were completed in July 2010 (Heisei 22), returning it to that appearance.

Locations and admission for the four karamon

• Nishi Hongan-ji (Horikawa-dōri Hanaya-chō sagaru, Shimogyō Ward): The karamon stands on the south side of the grounds, facing Kitakōji-dōri, and from the street you can see its carvings, whose restoration was completed in September 2021. The grounds open at 5:30 (as of October 2026). About a 15-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station, or take a city bus to "Nishi Honganji-mae."
• Toyokuni Shrine (Yamatoōji Shōmen Chaya-machi, Higashiyama Ward): The karamon stands in front of the main sanctuary. The treasure house is open 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30); 500 yen for adults and high school and university students, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students. About a 10-minute walk from Keihan Shichijō Station, or about 5 minutes from the city bus stop "Hakubutsukan Sanjūsangendō-mae."
• Daitoku-ji (Murasakino Daitokuji-chō, Kita Ward): The karamon stands in front of the Hōjō, but the main temple is normally closed to the public. The Bakuryōten, at which the main temple's treasures were shown while being aired, has also been suspended since 2021 because of restoration work and will not be held in fiscal 2026. The Chokushimon (Important Cultural Property), which has karahafu at the front and back, can be seen at any time. Take a city bus to "Daitokuji-mae."
• Daigo-ji Sanbō-in (Daigo Higashiōji-chō, Fushimi Ward): The karamon is said to have been opened only to welcome imperial messengers. Admission to Sanbō-in is 600 yen for adults, 400 yen for junior high and high school students, and free for elementary school students and younger (regular season). About a 10-minute walk from Exit 2 of Daigo Station on the Tōzai Subway Line.