What Is the Bokeitei Munamon Gate?
The Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei (Former Hamamoto Family Residence) Munamon Gate is an early Showa-era timber gate at the entrance to Bokeitei on the grounds of the Himeji City Museum of Literature in Yamanoi-cho, Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture; it was moved to its present position in 1991 and entered on the national register of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties in 2009.
In Japanese it is 姫路文学館望景亭（旧濱本家住宅）棟門, the Munamon of Bōkeitei. It stands at the eastern edge of the Bokeitei grounds, facing east toward the path that leads in from the main museum building. Although registered under the name munamon, it is built as an Udekimon, a gate whose roof rests on bracket arms projecting from the posts. It is 1.5 meters wide, with a copper-clad Kirizuma-zukuri gable roof, and rear support posts (Hikaebashira) brace it from behind.
Registration and Relocation of the Munamon Gate
The Bokeitei Munamon Gate was registered as a model of architectural design. The Agency for Cultural Affairs praises it as a gate of neat, refined design.
The gate was moved to its current spot when the museum was built. Here the agency's database contradicts itself: its era field records the move as Heisei 3, which is 1991, while its Western-calendar field gives 2001. Since the museum opened in 1991, this article follows the era field. The Himeji Film Commission adds that the gate was moved without alteration, keeping its original form. Where it stood before the move could not be confirmed from published sources.
What to Look For in the Bokeitei Munamon Gate
At 1.5 meters wide the Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei Munamon Gate is small, but it rewards a close look. Start with the roof. The eaves project deeply, and the roof surface swells gently upward in a convex curve rather than sagging. The Taruki rafters are laid in a single, widely spaced row, which keeps the eaves light.
The paired doors are Sankarado panel doors, fitted with diamond lattice in their upper sections. The beams that support the bracket arms from below are carved with decorative scrolls; step under the gate and look up to see them.
A plaque reading Bōkeitei (望景亭) hangs on the gate. According to the Himeji Film Commission, the calligraphy is by Sen Sōshitsu, the 15th grand master of the Urasenke school of tea. Passing through this gate, you leave the museum buildings designed by Ando Tadao and enter the garden of a Taisho-era villa, so the gate marks the line between the new architecture and the old.
Seeing the Munamon Gate
The Bokeitei Munamon Gate faces the path from the main museum building to Bokeitei and can be seen from outside during museum hours. The Japanese-style room and tea house beyond it are open to view on days when they are not rented. The official guides do not mention whether photography is allowed. Opening days and directions are on the main Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei (Former Hamamoto Family Residence) Munamon Gate
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Q&A
- When was the Bokeitei Munamon Gate in Himeji built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Showa era and records that it was moved to its present site in 1991. The database's Western-calendar field gives the move as 2001, a discrepancy.
- What type of gate is the Bokeitei Munamon Gate?
- A 1.5-meter-wide bracket-arm gate with a copper gable roof and rear support posts. Its double doors have diamond lattice in their upper panels.
- Who wrote the plaque on the Bokeitei Munamon Gate?
- According to the Himeji Film Commission, the Bōkeitei plaque is in the hand of Sen Sōshitsu, 15th grand master of the Urasenke tea school.
- Why is the Bokeitei Munamon Gate a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2009 as a model of architectural design, for refined details such as the deep convex roof, the lattice-topped panel doors and the carved support beams.
- Where can I see the Bokeitei Munamon Gate?
- It faces east onto the path from the main museum building to Bokeitei and can be seen during museum hours (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m.).
Basic Information
| Name | Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei (Former Hamamoto Family Residence) Munamon Gate |
|---|---|
| Location | 86 Aza Miyane, Yamanoi-cho, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and others |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2009 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Width 1.5 m |
| Owner | Himeji City |
| Public Access | Exterior visible during Himeji City Museum of Literature hours |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Himeji City Museum of Literature Bokeitei (Former Hamamoto Family Residence) Munamon Gate
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007771
- Himeji City: Bokeitei Munamon Gate (Japanese)
- https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/kanko/0000001766.html
- Himeji Film Commission: Bokeitei at the Himeji City Museum of Literature (Japanese)
- https://www.himeji-kanko.jp/fc/article.php?eid=00185
- Himeji City Museum of Literature: Museum Guide
- https://www.himejibungakukan.jp/en/guide.html
Last verified: 2026.10.01
