noun
bracket; corbel; ancon
A wooden bracket used in traditional Japanese architecture, especially in temple and shrine construction, to support beams and eaves.
このお寺の肘木には精巧な彫刻が施されている。
The brackets in this temple are intricately carved.
肘木は斗栱の一部として、屋根の重みを支える。
The bracket, as part of the tokyō system, supports the weight of the roof.
Compound of 肘 (hiji, 'elbow') and 木 (ki, 'wood'), referring to the elbow-like shape of the bracket.