Sanmon

Tōfuku-ji's sanmon (Japan's National Treasure)

A sanmon (三門 or 山門) or sangedatsumon (三解脱門, lit. "gate of the three liberations") is the most important mon of a Japanese Zen Buddhist temple, and is part of the Zen shichidō garan, the group of buildings that forms the heart of a Zen Buddhist temple.[1] It can be often found in temples of other denominations too. Most sanmon are 2- or 3-bay nijūmon (a type of two-storied gate), but the name by itself does not imply any specific architecture.

  1. ^ JAANUS