Kōzama

What kōzama means

A kōzama is a decorative cut-out shape set into the sides of altar platforms, statue pedestals, bases, tables and doors. Its outline rises in a cusped arch like that of a bell-shaped window, coming to a point at the centre, and flares outward at the foot. It is either cut right through a board or carved in relief.

On an altar platform, a row of kōzama in the panels between the upper and lower rails is typical, and it is a standard element of the inner sanctuary of a Buddhist hall. The same shape appears on the bases of craft objects and stone monuments and is common throughout temple decoration.

Modern houses and buildings in the refined sukiya manner sometimes borrow the shape for decoration on gates and transoms.

Reading the records and the building

Records state where kōzama are used. At the Ichikawa family house, formerly the Kameoka family villa, in Sumiyoshi, Osaka, the north middle gate has lattice doors with kōzama above, and the south middle gate has board doors in the manner of sankarado with kōzama above, a temple ornament borrowed for garden gates.

On site, look along the side of an altar platform or pedestal for a row of window-like shapes pointed above and flared below. Details vary with period and region, and the tension of the curve and depth of the cut help in reading the design.