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Katsuogi (鰹木, 堅魚木, 勝男木, 葛緒木) or Kasoegi (斗木) are short, decorative logs used in Japanese and Shinto architecture. They are placed at right angles to the ridgeline of roofs, and are usually featured in religious or imperial architecture. Katsuogi predate Buddhist influence and are an architectural element endemic to Japan. They are often placed on the roof with chigi, a forked ornamentation used on Shinto shrines. Today, katsuogi and chigi are used exclusively on Shinto buildings and can be used to distinguish them from other religious structures, such as Buddhist temples in Japan.

Origin

The original purpose of the katsuogi is uncertain. A theory is that the wooden logs were initially used to weigh down the thatch roofing seen in early Japanese structures. As construction techniques improved, the need for weights disappeared, and the logs remained only for ornamental value. Their existence during the Kofun period (250–538) is in any case well documented by numerous artifacts.

Like the chigi, the katsuogi was initially reserved only for the powerful nobility. It was first described in the Kojiki, a 7th-century Japanese text, where it seemed to be something accessible only to the emperor. In the excerpt, Emperor Yūryaku (418–479) sees an official's house laden with katsuogi on the roof. Angered by this, he pronounces the official a knave and a scoundrel for building a house in imitation of the imperial palace.

Later in history, emperors granted families such as the Nakatomi clan and the Mononobe clan permission to use katsuogi on their houses. As these clans were fervent supporters and administrators of Shinto, the katsuogi would eventually come to decorate Shinto shrines. By the 6th century, katsuogi were beginning to be used on the homes of powerful families, along with chigi. After the Meiji restoration (1868) their use in new shrines was limited to the honden.

Design

The katsuogi is usually a short, rounded log. Most are round, although square or diamond shapes have occasionally been used. Some are carved with tapered ends. More ornate katsuogi will be covered in gold or bronze, and decorated with the clan symbol or motif.

The number of katsuogi used on any given roof varies, but in general there is always at least one on each end. Earlier buildings tend to employ more katsuogi. Katsuogi are always used in buildings constructed in the shinmei-zukuri, kasuga-zukuri, sumiyoshi-zukuri, and taisha-zukuri styles. They are almost always paired with the chigi. The angle at which the chigi faces and the number of katsuogi the building contains are used to identify the gender of the kami enshrined within. Upward-facing chigi, with an even number of katsuogi indicate a female kami. Outward-facing chigi, with an odd number of katsuogi indicate a male kami. This is not a hard and fast rule, as there are exceptions (such as the shrines in Ise Grand Shrine.)

See also

• Shinto shrine
• The Glossary of Shinto for terms concerning Shinto and Shinto architecture.

Notes

1. Fletcher (1996), page 724
2. Lucas (2002), page 5
3. Watanabe, Yasutada (1974). Shinto art: Ise and Izumo shrines. New York, Tokyo: Weatherhill/Heibonsha. p. 123.
4. Chamberlain (2005), Vol. 3, Section 152
5. "katsuogi　堅魚木." JAANUS. Retrieved on May 05, 2009.
6. Bocking, Brian (1997). A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7007-1051-5.
7. "男神様と女神様 – kinoieブログ". Retrieved 11 May 2023.

References

• Fletcher, Banister, Sir. (1996). A History of Architecture. Architectural Press. ISBN 0-7506-2267-9.
• Chamberlain, Basil Hall (2005). The Kojiki: Records of Ancient Matters. Boston: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3675-2.

v t e Elements of Japanese architecture
Styles	Secular Azekura Buke Gassho Giyōfū Hirairi Imperial Crown Style Jutaku Omoya Shinden Shoin Sukiya Religious Shinto Azekura Hachiman Hiyoshi (Hie) Irimoya Ishi-no-ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Shinmei Sumiyoshi Taisha Buddhist Daibutsuyō Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Wayō Zenshūyō	Model of Himeji Castle
Types of building	Secular Castle Chashitsu Kura Machiya Minka Yagura Religious Shinto Haiden Heiden Hokora Honden Kofun Setsumatsusha Shinto shrine Torii Buddhist Butsuden Dō Hōkyōintō Kyōzō Main Hall Pagoda Shichidō garan Shōrō Tahōtō
Roof styles	Hidden Irimoya Karahafu Mokoshi
Structural and spatial	Burdock piling Chigi Disordered piling Engawa Hisashi Irimoya-zukuri Irori Katōmado Katsuogi Kuruwa Moya Nakazonae Namako wall Nightingale floor Onigawara Ranma Sōrin Tamagaki Tatami Tenshu Tokonoma Tokyō Tsumairi Shibi
Gates Approaches	Genkan Kairō Karamon Mon Nijūmon Niōmon Rōmon Sandō Sanmon Sōmon Torii (Mihashira)
Rooms	Chashitsu Daidokoro Mizuya Nando Shoin Toilets Washitsu
Furnishings	Butsudan Chabudai Emakimono Furo Futon Getabako Kamado Kamidana Kotatsu Mitamaya Oshiire Tansu Zabuton Zafu
Partitions	Byōbu Fusuma Jinmaku Kichō Noren Shitomi Shōji (washi) Sudare Tsuitate
Outdoor objects	Chōzuya (Temizuya) Giboshi Ishigantō Komainu Tōrō
Measurements	Ken Koku Ri Shaku Sun
Organizations	Architectural Institute of Japan Japan Institute of Architects Metabolist Movement
Related topics	Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden (rock (Zen)) Kumiko Ryokan Sentō Wabi-sabi Yabo National Treasures Castles Residences Shrines Temples Other structures

• Japanese architectural features
• Classical Japan
• Roofs