Mokoshi
Introduction moya''; red: ''mokoshi'', white: ''hisashi''In Japanese architecture , literally "skirt storey" or "cuff storey", is a decorative pent roof surrounding a building below the true roof. Since it does not correspond to any internal division, the ''mokoshi'' gives the impression of there being more floors than there really are. It is usually a ''ken'' deep and is most commonly seen in Buddhist temples and pagodas (see for example the article ''tahōtō''). The ''mokoshi'' normally covers a ''hisashi'', a walled aisle surrounding a building on one or more sides, but can be attached directly to the core of the structure (the ''moya''), in which case there is no ''hisashi''. The roofing material for the ''mokoshi'' can be the same or different (see for example's Hōryū-ji's ''kon-dō'') as in the main roof.
Origin and purpose The name derives from the fact that it surrounds and hides the main building like the  of a pair of pants. Its purpose was in fact to hide the thick sustaining pillars of the structure, making it look lighter and simpler. It has been used extensively by the Zen sects in various structures of its temple complexes.Another name for a ''mokoshi'' is , hence the name  given to the style of a building featuring it. This name started being used during the Middle Ages, and stems from the idea that its presence offered protection from snow.
Significant examples The three storied east pagoda of Yakushi-ji (a National Treasure, see gallery) seems to have six stories because of the presence of a ''mokoshi'' between each story.The first of the ''kon-dō's'' (main hall, National Treasure, see gallery) two stories  at Hōryū-ji has a ''mokoshi'', which was added in the Nara period with extra posts. These were needed to hold up the original first roof, which extended more than four meters past the building. Hōryū-ji's is the oldest extant example of ''mokoshi''.The ''butsuden'' (main hall) of a Zen temple usually has a ''mokoshi'', and therefore looks like a two-story building (see photo above and gallery), although in fact it is not.
Gallery The following structures all have a ''mokoshi''.File:Horyu-ji11s3200.jpg|Hōryū-ji's ''kon-dō''File:Yakushiji Nara11s5bs4200.jpg|Yakushi-ji's three-storied east pagodaFile:Myoshinji-M9719.jpg|Myōshin-ji's ''butsuden''File:Toudaiji  Daibituden.jpg|Tōdai-ji's ''Daibutsuden''
See also * List of roof shapes
Notes