抄録
Generally in the distribution of bays in the Japanese Buddhist architecture the central bay is made a little wider than others in order to increase stability of its exterior. There is especially a distinctive characteristic in the distribution of bays of most buildings in Zen style built in the period between the 14th and 16th centuries. Its ratio is three to two between the central bay and adjacent one. It is based on a characteristic system of eaves bracketings of Zen style. In this style, bracktings are placed not only on the column axes but also between them. Two units of bracketings are placed in the central bay and one in the adjacent one (Fig. 12). As a consequence if the intervals are regular, the ratio between the central and the adjacent bay comes to be three to two. In the case of the Relic Hall of Engakuji (probably built in 14th c.), however, which is the most typical example in Zen style, the ratio is not three to two but four to three, and the intervals between bracketings are not regular between the central bay and adjacent one. There are similar examples in the older Zen style. Consequently it is worthwhile to classify methods of the distribution of bays in Zen style and to examine the transition of each method through all the extant examples of Zen style. The following is the summary of this study. The plans and the dating of these examples are shown in my previous study.
