A Kamakura gate in the eastern wall
The Horyuji Temple Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate (法隆寺東院四脚門, Hōryū-ji Tōin Shikyakumon) in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, is an early Kamakura-period gate, built sometime between 1185 and 1274, set in the west wall of the Eastern Precinct and designated an Important Cultural Property on April 7, 1900. The national database records the west wall running 43.8 meters south and 45.8 meters north of it.
It is a four-legged gate with a gabled tile roof, placed where the lane from the Western Precinct enters the Eastern Precinct.
What "four-legged" means
A four-legged gate has two main posts on its center line, each braced front and back by a pair of auxiliary posts, four in all; the name counts those four. It was a formal type widely used for temples and residences.
The Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate belongs to the early Kamakura period, the same era as the Raido of 1231 and the Shariden and Edono of 1219. Together they help show the order in which the precinct's buildings, walls and gates took shape.
What to look for
Seen from the side, the gate explains itself: the main posts stand directly under the ridge, and the auxiliary posts share the roof load front and back. Walk round to the gable end to read the roof framing.
The walls on either side date from 1696, much later than the gate. Look for that difference between gate and wall.
Visiting
The gate is seen from outside and can be examined from both sides. For visiting the Eastern Precinct, see the Horyuji page.
Hours, tickets and directions are on the Horyuji page.
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Q&A
- Where is the Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate?
- In the west wall of the Eastern Precinct, where the lane from the Western Precinct enters.
- What is a four-legged gate?
- A gate with two main posts braced front and back by four auxiliary posts, which give it its name.
- When was the Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate built?
- In the early Kamakura period, between 1185 and 1274.
- Are the walls beside the Horyuji Four-Legged Gate the same age?
- No. The Eastern Precinct walls date from 1696, well after the gate.
- Is the Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate an Important Cultural Property?
- Yes. It was designated on April 7, 1900.
Basic Information
| Name | Horyuji Temple Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate (Hōryū-ji Tōin Shikyakumon) |
|---|---|
| Location | Horyuji Sannai, Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property |
| Year Designated | 1900/4/7 (Meiji 33) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Four-legged gate, gabled roof, tile roof |
| Owner | Horyuji Temple |
| Public Access | Exterior only |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties — Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/2692
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties — Horyuji Eastern Precinct Walls (West)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/2729
- Cultural Heritage Online — Horyuji Eastern Precinct Four-Legged Gate
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/db/heritages/detail/201619
Last verified: 2026.10.01
