What kasagi means
A kasagi is the horizontal member capping the top of a wall, railing, balustrade or torii. It keeps rain from penetrating and sharpens the outline of the whole. It may be of wood, stone or metal.
On a torii, the uppermost beam across the posts is the kasagi, with the shimaki beneath it; on a myōjin torii the ends of the kasagi sweep upward. The stones capping a stone wall are also called Coping stone, and records use both words.
Reading the records
Records name the material and position. The outer wall of the former Nagashima family house in Kumagaya, Saitama, 136.3 metres long, has six courses of squared Ōya stone on a rubble base, capped with a kasagi of the same stone. The approach torii of Kasuga Shrine in Bungotakada, Oita, a stone myōjin torii, has round posts tied by the nuki, shimaki and kasagi, the kasagi strongly upswept at both ends to give a vigorous elevation.
On site, look at the form and material of the member capping a wall or torii.
References
- 旧長島家住宅外塀｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00014745
- 春日神社参道鳥居｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00009095
Last verified: 2026.09.27