Suzaku Gate

This gate is located in the center of the south side of palaces such as Heijo Palace and Heian Palace. It is also called the South Gate. It was the main gate of the Daidai-ri Palace and was used for ceremonies and Utagaki (singing festivals). The name Suzaku Gate was modeled after Chang'an Castle in China, and was originally called Otomo Gate, which is said to have been named after the Otomo clan, who were the center of guarding the Emperor since the Asuka period. At Heian Palace, it was seven bays from east to west, with five doors, two stories high, tiled, topped with a shibi (roof ornament), and pillars painted red. The gate was guarded jointly by the Emon offices on both sides, but it later fell into disrepair, and there are stories that it became a den for thieves and that demons and monsters appeared there.

[Sanae Yoshida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平城宮、平安宮などの宮城南面中央にある門。南門ともいう。大内裏(だいだいり)の正門で、儀式や歌垣(うたがき)が行われた。朱雀門の名称は、中国の長安城に倣ったもので、もとは大伴(おおとも)門といい、これは、飛鳥(あすか)時代から天皇警護の中心であった大伴氏の名がつけられたため、とされている。平安宮では、東西七間で戸が五間、二階建てで、瓦葺(かわらぶ)き、鵄尾(しび)を頂き、柱は赤く塗られていた。門の警備は、左右の衛門(えもん)府が共同であたったが、のちには荒廃して、盗賊のすみかになったとか、鬼や化け物が出たなどの話が残っている。

［吉田早苗］

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