Side and end views of another example of complicated brackets on Todaiji in Nara. The posts (vertical columns) are stabilized by tie beams (horizontal) that penetrate the posts at several levels. The tie beams extend beyond the outer posts to support the roof. Other, shorter beams are set into the posts in a staggered array and are connected by brackets. The structural effect of a bracket complex is the same as a single, impractically large right angle triangle: to support a large extension of the roof (eave).

December 31, 2017