Katōmado

What a katōmado is

A katōmado is a window whose head takes a flame-like cusped curve. It is one of the recognisable details of the Zenshūyō manner and appears on temple buildings.

Gates in that manner show it typically. The gate at Hashikuraji in Tokushima Prefecture, built in 1880, is described as having an upper tier of three bays by two with panelled double doors at the centre and cusped windows in the flanking bays, and is called a fine two-tier gate of the Zen manner. Panelled doors and cusped windows together are the tell.

They are usually cut into a wall sealed in Shikkui. The lantern tower at the same temple, built in 1884, has an upper storey one bay square with columns and ceiling plastered over and cusped windows on all four faces.

Cloisters use them too. The cloister at Jikoji in Niigata Prefecture, from the later Edo period, has a plastered front pierced with cusped windows above Shitami-itabari at the base, its rear side left open.

Recognising it, and the name

Look at the head of the opening. A pointed top descending in undulating curves to vertical jambs is the form, and it is distinct at a glance from square or round windows.

The presence of one indicates Zen-manner elements but not necessarily a building in that manner throughout. The Hashikuraji lantern tower shows the detail applied to an unusual building type.

Three written forms of the Japanese term circulate. The records of the Agency for Cultural Affairs use the one meaning flower-head.