Actual usage and Spatial characteristics of “Tori-mon Gate” in OBUSE Town, Nagano Prefecture

Abstract

This paper aims to clarify the actual usage and spatial characteristics of the “Tori-mon gate". Firstly, we conducted field surveys and questionnaire surveys to clarify the distribution and characteristics of the gates. Secondly, we also conducted case studies to clarify their detailed usage. The gates have their origins in the use of waterways adjacent to the site and were initially used for flood prevention and agricultural purposes. Around 1980, reflecting changes in lifestyle and family structure, the gates began to be used for non-agricultural purposes such as garages and children’s rooms. Even today, many owners consider street gates to be necessary for daily life and continue to use them by repairing or renovating them. The Tori-mon gate is a redundant space whose role changes flexibly with the ages and is a specific architectural form rooted in local life.