楼門（重要文化財） Tower Gate（Important Cultural Property）
この美しい二階建ての門は楼門と呼ばれ、日光東照宮の陽明門の原型になったと言われています。門の軒下中央に第108代後水尾（ごみずのお）天皇の宸筆「東照大権現」の扁額が掲げてある為、「勅額御門（ちょくがくごもん）」とも言われています。東照大権現とは、後水尾天皇によって徳川家康公へ、薨去の翌年に授けられた神様としての名前です。扁額のすぐ下に、獏という2体の霊獣の彫刻があります。獏は古の中国人によって創られた想像上の動物で、鼻が長く白い牙があるなど、様々な動物の特徴を持っています。獏は鉄や銅などの金属を食べると言われ、戦争はその金属が武器に変わってしまう為、獏が餓死してしまいます。この獏の彫刻は、そうならないように獏と共存し、戦争を起こしてはいけないという教えを広める平和の象徴だと考えられています。楼門の中央にある４体の獏の彫刻は、徳川家康公が築いた平和な世がいつまでも続くようにとの願いが込められています。また、門を横切る注連縄（しめなわ）は、神々と人々の境を示しています。
A two-storied gate is called a romon and this beautiful constructed one is also said to be the model for the Nikko Toshogu. Towards the top in the middle of the gate you can see a hanging scroll that reads Tosho-Daigongen and this was the name bestowed upon Tokugawa Ieyasu a year after his death by the 108th Emperor Go-Mizu-no-o. Just below the scroll you can see two imaginary animals called baku. These were created by the ancient Chinese and they have white tusks with long noses. Baku are also said to live on money and medals so when, wars occur money and medals are taking away by war lords to make weapons and arms. Consequently depriving baku of their food. Therefore the Baku can be considered peaceful. There are 4-carved baku on each side of the tower gate to watch after the society that Tokugawa built and desired so that peace would last forever. As you climb up the stairs keep in mind that you should walk up on the sides as the middle is for the gods. As you enter through the gate look up and you can be amazed at this massive piece of art. Also observe the shimenawa (long rope) that goes across the tower gate this is a boundary of sorts between the gods and the people. Closely observing the baku you can see the attention to detail and the effort the artist took to create such a grand piece of art to symbolize peace.
