Round Windows in Japanese Gardens and Architecture: The Yoshino Window and More

I was asked if I could write something about the Yoshino window, so here it is! My blog post about the round window (marumado or ensō), featuring the Yoshino window and other window types.

To be fair, windows do not directly relate to Japanese gardens, but since tea houses and temple buildings are often situated next to or within a garden, I think it’s okay to look into this part of Japanese architecture!

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Traditional Windows in Japanese Temples and Tea Houses

Due to this type of architecture, which was naturally very open, the need for window design development arose.

For a long time, windows in Japanese temple architecture were square with vertical lattices, originating from China. Examples of this design (Renji mado 連子窓) can still be found in Hōryū-ji, Yakushi-ji, and Kasuga Taisha in Nara.

In tea house architecture, we also find the Renji mado. Here, the term refers to windows with bamboo lattices, while in temple architecture, they are made of lumber.

Even in modern times, there have been no major changes to this window style—only variations in how the lattice is arranged.

The Kuhachiya in Koishikawa Kōrakuen in Tokyo showcases different styles of this window type.

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The Katō Window: A Distinctive Temple Feature

Before discussing round windows, we will first look at what is probably the best-known window style: the Katō window (花頭窓 or 火灯窓).

This window style came to Japan with Zen Buddhism from China and found its way into Japanese temples.
The upper part of the window is curved and resembles a flame or flower petals.
You can find such an example at Engaku-ji Temple in Kyoto.

What makes this a Japanese-style window and not a Chinese one is that the style was further developed in Japan.
Not only is the top curved, but in some cases, so are the sides, as seen at the Silver Pavilion in Jishō-ji Temple (better known as Ginkaku-ji).

In Nara, this flower window style was very popular and can be found in Yoshikien, for example. But it was also widely used in other sukiya-style buildings.
Sukiya-style is the simple architectural style used in tea architecture, promoted by Sen no Rikyū, an important tea master.

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The Round Window (Marumado) and Its Origins

The round window, marumado (丸窓), came to Japan along with Zen Buddhism from China. In traditional Chinese architecture, circular openings were widely used in gardens and temples, serving both aesthetic and symbolic purposes.

One example is the Moon Gate (月门, Yue Men), a large circular doorway commonly found in Chinese gardens and courtyards. It represents completeness, unity, and the passage to another realm, guiding visitors through a carefully designed landscape. These gates create a seamless connection between different spaces, much like how round windows later functioned in Japanese architecture.

Another Chinese influence is the Round Lattice Window (圆窗, Yuan Chuang), which was especially common in Ming and Qing dynasty gardens and temples. These windows often featured intricate wooden or stone latticework, designed to filter light beautifully while framing scenic views. This concept is similar to the Japanese practice of shakkei (borrowed scenery), where architectural elements integrate with the surrounding landscape.

Chinese Buddhist and Daoist temples also included round openings in walls and windows as symbolic representations of wholeness and enlightenment. These circular forms were associated with the Buddhist concept of completeness, influencing the way Zen architecture in Japan later embraced the round window.

When round windows arrived in Japan, they were adapted to fit Japanese aesthetics and Zen philosophy. Unlike the highly decorative lattice windows of China, Japanese marumado became simpler, often serving as a direct, unadorned frame for the outside world. They appeared in Zen temples and sukiya-style tea houses, emphasizing the interplay of light, shadow, and natural scenery.

The earliest surviving example of a Japanese round window can be found at Ryūgin-an (龍吟庵), a sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto. Built in the Muromachi period (1336–1573), Ryūgin-an is known as the oldest existing Zen hōjō (abbot’s quarters) in Japan. Its round window dates back to the 14th or 15th century, making it one of the very first examples of this architectural feature in Japan. Since this coincides with the early Ming dynasty (1368–1644) in China—when round lattice windows were also being developed—it raises an interesting possibility:

Given the strong influence of Zen Buddhism, it is likely that round windows were inspired by Chinese designs. However, Japan often reinterpreted foreign architectural elements to suit its own aesthetic values. It is also possible that the symbolic meaning of the round shape in Zen Buddhism encouraged its early use in Japanese temples, even without direct influence from Chinese architecture.

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Famous Round Windows in Japanese Temples and Tea Houses

A well-known example of a Japanese round window is the Meigetsu-mado (明月窓, Bright Moon Window). This round window, often found in Zen temples, represents the full moon, a Buddhist symbol of enlightenment. Its circular shape draws the eye outward, merging interior and exterior space. It is not a separate window style. The name-giving Meigetsu-in in Kamakura has a round window in the style of the Satori no Mado.

Another famous round window is the Satori no Mado (悟りの窓, Window of Enlightenment) at Genkō-an Temple in Kyoto. This window is paired with the Mayoi no Mado (迷いの窓, Window of Delusion)—a square window representing the struggles of life. In contrast, the round window symbolizes completeness and awakening, offering a quiet visual metaphor for the Zen path to enlightenment.

The Yoshino-mado (吉野窓) is another round window style that became popular in sukiya-style architecture. Unlike the simple Zen-style round windows, this type often features wooden crossbars dividing the circle into sections. It is frequently seen in tea houses and traditional residences, where it serves both a decorative and functional purpose.

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Over time, round windows became a distinctive feature of Japanese architecture. While their origins lie in China, their refinement and symbolic meaning in Japan make them an essential part of Japanese temple and tea house design.

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Further Reads

Sources

https://nara-atlas.com/term/japanese/4437/
https://www.eonet.ne.jp/~kotonara/madonohanasi.htm
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/火灯窓
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/連子窓
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/窓