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The Japanese Gateway

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Chokushi-Mon

The Japanese Gateway

Kew's Chokushi-Mon (the Gateway of the Imperial Messenger) is a four-fifths size replica of the Karamon of Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital of Japan.

The replica was originally built for the Japan-British Exhibition, held in London in 1910, a year after which it was dismantled and rebuilt in Kew Gardens. The mound on which it stands was once the site of Sir William Chambers' Mosque, hence its name of 'Mossy Hill'.

Kew's Chokushi-Mon is the finest example of a traditional Japanese building in Europe, built in the architectural style of the Momoyama (or Japanese rococo) period in the late 16th century, a time of peace, prosperity and flowering creativity.

Typically expressive, Chokushi-Mon shows finely carved woodwork depicting flowers and animals, with the most intricate panels portraying an ancient Chinese legend about the devotion of a pupil to his master.

Restorations

The Japanese woodcarver, Kumajiro Torii, carried out some detailed repair work in 1936 and 1957, but by 1988, the edifice was badly dilapidated. With generous support from Japan and elsewhere, a full restoration, combining traditional Japanese skills and modern techniques was completed, after a year's painstaking work, in November 1995.

Today, Chokushi-Mon is seen in rather more than its original splendour, because as part of the restoration, the original lead-covered cedar-bark roof shingles were replaced with traditional visually and more dramatic, copper tiles.

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