What degumi means
A degumi is a bracket set in which arm and bearing blocks project one step forward of the wall from the large bearing block on top of the post, the block at the tip carrying the eave beam. Pushing the eave beam one step out allows deeper eaves. Because it projects one step, it is also called hitotesaki.
Bracket sets are ranked by the number of steps they project. The three-block set carries the eave beam on the wall line; the Demitsudo projects blocks forward but not the beam; the degumi projects one step; and two- and three-step sets, up to the Mitesaki, become increasingly complex and prestigious. As a middle-ranking bracket, the degumi is widely used in Buddhist halls, shrine buildings and gates. Many buildings grade brackets by position, using three-step sets on the main body and degumi on the mokoshi or lower storey.
Reading the records and the building
Records name the bracket with its position. The main hall of Tofukuji in Kyoto has three-step brackets on the main body and degumi on the mokoshi. The two-storey gate of Hokoji in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, has degumi below and two-step brackets with tail rafters above. The main hall of Motoyamaji in Mitoyo, Kagawa, a National Treasure, uses degumi outside and three-block sets inside. The main hall of Yutenji in Meguro, Tokyo, uses degumi with a coved coffered ceiling in its innermost sanctuary, marking its status indoors as well.
On site, look at the bracket from the side to see whether the eave beam is pushed one step forward of the wall. One step of block and arm carrying the beam is a degumi; two or three stacked steps indicate two- or three-step brackets.
References
- 祐天寺本堂｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00009713
- 東福寺本堂｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00014859
- 本山寺本堂｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/3305
- 方広寺山門｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00012929
Last verified: 2026.09.27