A colorful
dougong supporting a structure at Sagami Temple,
Kasai, Hyōgo,
Japan. Dougong is a structural element of interlocking wooden
brackets, one of the most important elements in traditional
Chinese,
Japanese, and
Korean architecture. The use of dougong first appeared in buildings of the late centuries BC and evolved into a structural network that joined pillars and columns to the frame of the roof. The pieces are fit together by
joinery alone without
glue or
fasteners, due to the precision and quality of the
carpentry.
Photo credit: 663highland