YAP CHOE HOONG

[Student ID : 0323161]

[Effective Public Communication]

[FNB

E M

arch 2015]

Historical Background of

Japan

Teachings and ideas

were taken from China from the 6th

to 9th century

Historical Background-Japanese Architecture-

• Asuka and Nara period of architecture -period of blossoming art and culture in Japan.

• The Heian period (9th century) - continuation of this and also the period where the Chinese influence began as one of the premier architects of the time learned the design in China and brought his ideas back to Japan.

• Wooden temples were rising in greater numbers - different styles and yet reminiscent of the old at the same time.

Historical background of Kyoto-Japanese Architecture-

• Nara was the first centralized capital of the nation established in the late 8th century.

• The layout of the capital city was influenced by Chang’an, the capital of China during that time.

• The Nara period was the last time that political power was held by the emperor. The following Heian period was characterized by an affluent aristocracy with eccentric social customs, and the moving of the capital from Nara to Kyoto.

• The capital city of Kyoto became the residence of Japan’s emperors until the late 19th century.

Strucure and layout of Japanese Architecture

• Japanese exteriors and interiors stress on space and form, with decoration and furnishing limited to essentials.

* The forms of Japanese architecture and furniture were also a factor in the early development of the Arts and Crafts style in England *

Structure and layout

• Japanese architecture is a blend of Chinese influences and Japanese innovation.

• The traditional methods of Japanese architecture are very based on Chinese methods of timber construction.

• Surviving structures from the Nara period were found resembling Chinese architecture.

• Japanese architecture, like other arts, is more preoccupied with form than with surface embellishment.

• These were very different from the medieval castles of Europe though-they were built in the style of the shrines with the wooden powers and out cropping roofs.

• They were meant to house feudal lords and their soldiers, while still retaining the elegance of the shrines that they are based upon.

Structure and layout

About Kyoto • It’s rich, deep and incredibly liveable

• While the rest of Japan has adopted modernity with abandon, the old ways are hanging on in Kyoto.

About Kyoto and Why?

Miyama - Kayabuki Gallery and Folk Museum

Miyama, Kyoto

• It was where the old thatched roof houses were scattered along Miyama River,

• This part of the town is called "Kayabuki no Sato"

(Thatched Roof Village)

•Unlike any other historic towns and districts around the country, the majority of Miyama's old houses survive as residential dwellings

•Creates a very nostalgic atmosphere to the area, and gives visitors an opportunity to experience the traditional, authentic feel of rural Japan.

Miyama, Kyoto

Farmhouses in Miyama

• Different farmhouses have construction styles in accordance with widely varying weather patterns. However, architectural similarities can be seen between dwellings across the country.

Wooden facades, thatched roofs, sunken hearths, earth floors for stable and kitchen, and living spaces on elevated wooden floors

Thatched houses

• During the period of widespread rice farming, the result was the appearance of permanent settlements with bigger populations.

• Communities became

organized in villages as a whole, with areas demarcated for granaries, storehouses and living quarters.

• Houses, especially the granaries, were built on stilts to keep away mice

Structure and Layout

Miyama Kayabuki no Sato -Winter-

Structure and Layout

• Gassho-zukuri means "constructed like hands in prayer", as the farmhouses' steep thatched roofs resemble the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer.

• The architectural style developed over many generations and is designed to withstand the large amount of heavy snow that falls in the region during winter.

• The roofs, made without nails, provided a large attic space used for cultivating silkworms.

• Dwellings were built directly over an earth floor. The floor may have been hollowed in, which are often called "pit dwellings"

Structure and Layout

Miyama Kayabuki no Sato -Night view-

Materials

Timber construction

Old timber-constructred Farmhouses

• Architects in Japan were also at a point influenced by the Koreans; buildings were made from stone and timber and though most of these early structures are long gone, they live on in manuscripts and paintings.

• However, wood is the most important material in Japanese architecture because the volcanic nature of the islands ensures that there is little for suitable stone work to use.

Materials

Steep thatched house to sustain massive snowfall

Ornaments

•Giboshi is a kind of ornament used on holder Japanese bridges.

• Giboshi bridge ornaments are said to resemble the bulbous flower of the onion.

• The ends of giboshi are bulbous and come to a point, resembling the onion domes in Western culture.

• They are often found in older Japanese bridges, and on bridges in Japanese gardens, temples and shrines.

• Most commonly made of bronze, they are also made of wood, tile, brass and iron

• The giboshi consists of a cylindrical column, broken by horizontal bands. Above the column is a rounded base, supporting what is called the jewel pedestal

• The jewel pedestal has a narrow neck

• The same type of decoration is found on top of a portable shrine, and the jewel at the top is a mani-gem. A similarly shaped decoration is also found on lanterns.

Ornaments

Giboshi

• Japan has an interesting variety of buildings that exhibit different architectural forms from humble farm houses to grand imperial palaces

• Buildings were traditionally built in wood - because of the abundance of timber and due to the material's relatively good resistance to earthquakes

• Houses were then built fire-insulated with earthen walls to protect valuable goods from the threat of fires.

Architecture of Japanese Traditional Dwellings

• Unfortunately, many buildings were lost through the years to natural disasters, the humid climate, fires and wars.

• Efforts have been made to preserve some monumental buildings including temples, shrines, palaces and castles, of which many are very old and require periodic renovations.

• Furthermore, efforts are ongoing across the country to reconstruct some lost important buildings

Architecture of Japanese Traditional Dwellings

History, Materials, Structure & Layout-Influences of Japanese Architecture-

• After World War II, Japan architecture was rapidly modernized with Western's creation and influence, leading to some truly inspiring buildings of metal and concrete like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

• Japanese architectural design is unique from the architecture of the west, partially because of the materials that were primarily used and then because of the style that buildings were created in.

References

• http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7139.html

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai/kyoto#ixzz3xc4pmCvi

• http://www.architecturecourses.org/history-traditional-japanese-architecture

• http://char.txa.cornell.edu/nonwest/japan/japanhis.htm

• http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/g/giboshi.htm

• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111.html

• http://www.japan-guide.com/g10/destination_miyama_top.jpg

• http://www.miyama-kyoto-kajikaso.com/english/miyama-region-1/

• https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/ae/ca/a2aeca6232dce511d90b361586634cb3.jpg

• http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/3405825728_3a4b9e08c0_o.jpg

• http://www.miyama-kyoto-kajikaso.com/english/miyama-region-1/

• http://www.baxleystamps.com/litho/brink_15/brinkley_sec9_mikado_6.jpg