The Japanese Gateway at Kew Gardens, London, Uk
The Chokushi-Mon (Gateway of the Imperial Messenger) is a replica (four-fifths actual size) of the Karamon of Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto, the replica gateway was moved and reconstructed at Kew Gardens., which was created for the Japan-British Exhibition held in London in 1910. After the exhibition closed, the gateway was moved and reconstructed at Kew. The gateway is made of Hinoki wood (Japanese Cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa), with a traditional copper roof (replacing the original made of cedar bark). There are magnificent carvings on the panels and transoms and metal ornamentation over the whole gateway. After 80 years, the gateway had deteriorated to such an extent that a full restoration was initiated in October 1994 and completed in November 1995. Using a combination of traditional Japanese skills and newly developed techniques, the gateway has been returned to its former glory once again. Source - sign at Kew Gardens.
Size: 5015px × 3348px
Location: Kew Gardens, London
Photo credit: © Paul Martin / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: chamaecyparis, chokushi-mon, cypress, gardens, gateway, hinoki, hongan-ji, imperial, japanese, karamon, kew, kyoto, london, messenger, nishi, obtusa, replica, temple, wood
