Masu-gumi is a term used for what in Japanese architecture?

• A. A compound bracket or capital
• B. A type of shingle roof
• C. A temple doorway
• D. A stone lantern

Answer: (A)

Masu-gumi refers to a grouped, interlocking set of brackets that forms a single compound bracket, often acting like a capital at the top of a column. In traditional Japanese wooden architecture, loads from the roof are carried down through a system of brackets; a masu-gumi bundles several bracket units into one block, creating both structural support and a characteristic decorative silhouette under the eaves. This modular, stacked arrangement allowed carpenters to shape complex forms while keeping joints manageable, and it’s a feature you’ll notice on temples and shrines where the bracket work contributes to the overall rhythm and grace of the structure. The other options point to different elements—shingle roofing, temple doorways, or stone lanterns—which are unrelated to this bracket system.