Dōmiya-daiku

(Carpenters of temples and shrines)

Unlike carpenters who focus on residential projects, temple and shrine carpenters (dōmiya daiku) specialize in the large-scale wooden structures of Buddhist temples (dō) and Shintō shrines (miya).

These carpenters construct majestic sacred buildings designed to harden for hundreds of years. Their work involves large timbers and requires specialized knowledge of techniques such as complex tsugite and shikuchi joints, as well as the assembly of intricate bracket systems (kumimono) and the creation of cambered roofs.

The head carpenter, or tōryō, leads a team of skilled artisans to build temples and shrines, ensuring the buildings can withstand harsh weather conditions for centuries. These master carpenters direct these monumental architectural projects continuing a tradition that spans a millennium. This section introduces the work of a dōmiya daiku tōryō through models and architectural drawings.

Ikaruga Kōsha

Jigen-ji shoro

Technical drawing of the eaves on the Jigen-ji Temple's bell tower

Wooden drawing board and ruler

2010

1:1 Scale

Plywood

This full-scale technical drawing rendered on plywood was created to clarify unclear details in the design. Such drawings are a characteristic approach used by temple and shrine carpenters who construct large buildings. This drawing features details of a difficult roof corner on the bell tower at the temple, Jigen-ji. It combines elevation, cross-section and 45-degree diagonal elevation views.

Kioi (Wooden structural support)

Kayaoi (Eaves support)

Hien-daruki (Flying rafter)

Ji-daruki (Base beam)

Uragou (Eaves support)

Keta (Purlin, beam)

Shaku-zue (Life-size template)

Kaya-oi (Mold of eaves support)

Ki-oi (Mold of flying rafter support)

Keta (Mold of purlin)

Sumi-gi (Mold of hip rafter)

Uragō (Mold of eaves support)

Reproduction of the Jigan-ji bell tower's hip rafter (sumi-gi)

Ikaruga Kōsha

Hinoki cypress

1:1 scale model

2010

The hip rafter, or sumigi, is a long structural member that supports the eaves at the corners of a building. Mortise holes are carved into its sides to insert thin rafters. Marking these joint locations and angles presents a complex three-dimensional geometric challenge. This process requires advanced skills in kiku-jutsu – a method that applies geometry and measurement techniques to the precise design and construction of intricate architectural components.

Kata-ita (Wooden mold)

Ikaruga Kōsha

Plywood

Date unknown

Kata-ita or kiyose, are wooden design templates used to mark the shape of curved architectural elements, such as roof arcs and beams. Even with the same materials, the size and shape can vary subtly depending on the specific building. These templates are one of the essential tools of the dōmiya daiku (temple and shrine carpenters) who often work with curved surfaces. They are rarely used in sukiya residential construction which primarily employs square-edged timber.

Wooden board from the Hōryū-ji Temple project, Nara, Japan

Tsunekazu Nishioka

1968

In the past, design plans were drawn on wooden boards because paper was susceptible to damage by the elements. Such drawing boards are rarely seen today. This example was used by master carpenter, Nishioka Tsunekazu, during the restoration of Hōryū-ji, a temple in Ikaruga, Nara.

Side view of bracket tie beam (tōshi-hijiki)

Side view and section of the Hōryū-ji Temple's Conference Hall (Denpō-dō)

Scale: 1:20 

Floor plan of the roof structure of the Hōryū-ji Temple's Great Conference Hall (Daikōdō)

1:100 Scale

Technical drawing of the Hōryū-ji Temple's Great Lecture Hall

Drawing of the beams of the Hōryū-ji Temple's Great Conference Hall

Scale: 1:10

Technical drawing for the Hōryū-ji Temple's three-story pagoda, Nara, Japan

Tsunekazu Nishioka

1968

1:10 Scale

Ink on paper

A blueprint for the three-storied pagoda at the temple, Hōrin-ji, in Ikaruga, Nara, rebuilt in 1973. The upper section presents an overhead view and cross-sectional view from the corner (diagonal) direction, while the lower section shows the cross-section from the front.

Structural model of the Yakushi-ji temple's Tōindō hall

Ikaruga Kōsha

Hinoki cypress

2014

The Tōindō, a hall within the temple complex of Yakushi-ji, was built in the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Here, a section of the roof is reproduced at 1:2 scale using Yoshino cypress. The model highlights the deep eaves formed by delicately curved parallel rafters, a hallmark of Japanese architecture. This feature is achieved through an innovative roof structure incorporating thick timbers, known as hane-gi. The model also shows the coffered ceiling with horizontal beams (nageshi).