Talk:Rōmon

Commentary

This is a good start to an overlooked topic. Some specific comments:

• Coverage - The article defines the gates and demonstrates how they differ from the nijumon, but needs to go further. What is the cultural significance of the gate? Is there an anthropological reason for the gate in front of every temple? Does the gate represent a state of liminality, does it impart a ritual cleansing, a boundary between sacred and profane? To an un-trained eye, they may resemble the gatehouses in Japanese castles. Is there a connection there? Did one influence the other?
• Accuracy - What do you mean by "in the past" (1st para.)? Meiji period, Edo Period, earlier? Also in the 1st paragraph, how is this gate "Buddhist in oprigin"? Does this mean it was derived from scripture, or from Chinese Buddhism? Is it a feature common in ALL Buddhist structures, or do you mean it started in Japanese Buddhism and then spread to Shinto structures?
• Structure - Sections on "Significance" (as discussed above) and "History" would probably help the reader. The article would also benefit from a section on "Notable examples", which may include the oldest, largest, earliest known, etc. Some of these gates may have been taken from other famous structures, as one karamon gate was taken from Fushimi Castle and moved to Nishi Hongan-ji.
• Supporting materials are sufficient, I think, but the captions should mention the name of the temple and the city and/or prefecture where located.
• Accessibility is sufficient, I think, though the word tahoto may deserve a brief definition, in the manner of "hip-and-gable (irimoya) roof".

Good luck! Boneyard90 (talk) 08:36, 28 December 2010 (UTC)

Hi, and thanks for the useful comments. At long last someone who leaves behind something more than a letter. Will fix what I can soon. About the completeness of the article, for the time being I have no more material.Frank (Urashima Tarō) (talk) 08:52, 28 December 2010 (UTC)