Hisashi (architecture)

In Japanese architecture the term hisashi (廂・庇) has two meanings: It is common in Zen Buddhist temples where it is a 1 ken wide aisle-like area and at the same level as the moya.

Japanese traditional architecture was based on the post and lintel system, which is intrinsically not very strong.

To strengthen it, therefore, an extra row of pillars and relative lintels are added, supporting the moya's walls.

The hisashi can be present on just one or all four walls, and is counted with the suffix men (面, surface).

[4] What follows the floor plan of a typical Zen main butsuden such as the one in the photo above at Enkaku-ji in Kamakura.