Mysterious things in Gion

Hi,
Can someone tell me, what that wooden "box" in front of that house is? http://imagesus.homeaway.com.au/mda01/a5b50fc9-2067-4f12-8e10-2f3c5ac0...
I've been in Gion last year and always wondered.
Thank you!
Tim

I once heard that in the old days these constructions prevented people to lie down in front of the building and spy on the talk that was going on inside.

This is called "Inu-yarai"(Œ¢–î—ˆ).
It's a gate made from bamboo. The shape of gate is normally curved, thus bamboo is used for.

Inu-yarai means, kick out or ward off dogs.
There is a rumor that street dogs or even people have make "pee" in front of houses(in old days) thus Inu-yarai gate was made. And also, preventing horse coach manure and horse droppings in old days.

Kyoto Architecture Association believes that the Inu-yari gate was made to prevent rain drops from the roof. The rain drops make damage on wooden house old days. If the gate was installed in front of the house, the gate prevent rainy damage on wooden house. Therefore, the gate is curved or have some angles, not straighten. But Unu-yarai gate was straight with no curves until late 1800s. But now the most of the gate is curved.
This type of gate is only seen in Kyoto region, not any other places.
http://goo.gl/DRaEsK
http://goo.gl/S3A7VQ