総そう門もん

そ

う

も

ん

Meanings

Refers to the principal entrance gate of a Buddhist temple, shrine complex, or sometimes a large traditional estate. Not used for ordinary houses.

その寺てらの総そう門もんは江え戸ど時じ代だいに建たてられた。
The temple's main gate was built in the Edo period.

See all 2 example sentences ›

Kanji

総general, whole, all
門gate, counter for cannons
惣all

Related words

山さん門もん
山門 specifically refers to the main gate of a Zen temple, often a large two-story structure. 総門 is a more general term for the main gate of any temple or large estate.
正せい門もん
正門 is the main gate of a school, company, or public facility. 総門 is used for temples and traditional estates.

Written forms

総そう門もんUsage81%
Standard kanji spelling for the main gate of a temple or large estate.
惣そう門もんUsage19%
Variant kanji form; 惣 is an older character sometimes used in historical or temple names.

Etymology

Compound of 総 (そう, 'overall, general') and 門 (もん, 'gate'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since at least the Edo period for the main entrance of temple complexes.