西の対

Japanese

Kanji in this term
西	対
にし Grade: 2	たい Grade: 3

Alternative spelling
西の對 (kyūjitai)

Etymology

A compound of made up of nishi "west" and tai "opposing" joined by the genitive grammatical particle no. Opposition is in reference to the main building in the center.

Noun

西(にし)の対(たい) or 西(ニシ)の対(タイ) • (nishi no tai) 

1. In a shindenzukuri style building, the secondary building located to the west of the main shinden. The western pavilion.
   • Late 10th century: Ochikubo Monogatari

     大君、中の君には婿取りして、西の対、ひんがしの対にはなばなとして住ませたてまつり給に

Usage notes

Japanese nobility during the Heian period lived in structures known as shindenzukuri. The main building was located in the center and it faced the south. Secondary buildings, also known as pavilions, were placed on the west, east, and north.

See also

• 東の対
• 北の対
• 寝殿造り