Tenshu are divided into Borogata and Sotogata in structure, and as for the externally peculiar ones, although there is no particular standard, they are sometimes further divided into Fukko (revival), Ryakushiki (informal), Kara-zukuri, Yatsumune-zukuri (a complicated roof style with multiple ridges and bargeboards, or large vernacular house built in this style) types, and so on.
構造上では、望楼型と層塔型に分けられ、外観上、特異なものには、特に規定はないものの、復古・略式・唐造・八棟造などとさらに細かく分けることがある。