TRADITIONAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

Influences

GEOGRAPHICAL

• Japan,with its principal island, Honshiu, and attendant island to north and south, lies off the eastern coast of Asia, which is separated by the sea of Japan. The eastern shores of Japan is bounded by Pacific Ocean.

GEOLOGICAL

•The earth quakes in Japan has effect building development practically Japan is rugged hill country and four fifths of the area is occupied by forest and wild vegetation.•Bamboo is plentiful, and extensively used in building. Stone is mainly of volcanic origin.•Stone is used for foundation work, for the lower portions of walling, which would beerected an upper timber structure.

HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS

• During Suiko period (A.D. 522-645) Buddhism became firmly established.• Feudalism, in the 13th century recognized 3 groups:-i. The Emperor and noblesii. The Shoguns with military casteiii. The people

• Under Tokugawa dynasty (1603-1868) Emperors emphasized and actively promulgated after continual strife,which resulted civil war, the last Shoguns resigned in 1867.

• A constitution was formed in 1890 which recognized the rights of people.

•For almost 200 years,Japan was closed to the outside world.•Shinto was Chinese name for indigenous polydemonism which existed in Japan before introduction of Buddism.

CLIMATIC

• Japan is influenced by a cold airstream from Asia in winter, and by warm moist air from pacific in summer.

• Houses, face south projecting eaves to give protection against sun, while high courtyard walls screen the northern cold winds of winter.

Pie chart of religion distribution in Japan

The main religion in Japan is Buddhist or known as Shinto

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER

• The architecture of Japan was derived from China, but maintained its own special characteristics of lightness as delicacy.

• Refinement in Japanese architecture is combined with carving and decoration which is noticable in timber construction.

• Flat terrace roof that are dominant to form contrast from Middleast and India.

• 'Iramoya gable' at the upper part of roof while the lower part of roof is in a hipped form.

• Roof covering can be thatch, shingles or tiles.• Column that found in temples or gateway is followed from Chinese

form.• 'Ken' is known as standard measurement of intercolumniation.• 'Yariganna' is used to split timber and beautify it.

Iramoya gable

Hipped form

Yariganna

Early Japanese Architecture

Jomon period

• The earliest period of Japan lasted from around 13000 BC to 300 BC.

• Dwellings were built directly over an earth floor with a wood foundation and a thatched straw roof.

• Inside the house, the floor may have been hollowed in, which is why Jomon Period houses are often called "pit dwellings".

Yayoi period• The Yayoi Period lasted from around 300 BC to 300 AD.• Characterized by the start of widespread rice farming,

resulting in 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 were built on stilts to keep away pest. Structures such as village fences and watch towers were applied

Jomon Characteristics

•Huts built by digging as deep as 2 - 3 feet deep.•Trees used as pillars to support roof.•Roof is made of long grass or skins of wood.•Shape like tent with small ridge on the roof for ventallation.

Yayoi Characteristic

•Yayoi architecture is similar to architecture of South East Asia where buildings are raise up from ground.•Used gable roof•The roof is over a wattle screen wall surrounded by a damp-excluding ditch

Japan Shrine

1. Torii – Shinto gate

2. Stone stairs

3. Sandō – the approach to the shrine

4. Chōzuya or temizuya – purification font to cleanse one’s hands and mouth

5. Tōrō – decorative stone lanterns

6. Kagura-den – building dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance

7. Shamusho – the shrine’s administrative office

8. Ema – wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes

9. Sessha/massha – small auxiliary shrines

10. Komainu – the so-called “lion dogs”, guardians of the shrine

11. Haiden – oratory or hall of worship

12. Tamagaki – fence surrounding the honden

13. Honden – main hall, enshrining the kami

Japan Buddhist Temple and Pagodas

The most important buildings in the temple are the main hall (Hondô, Kondô or Butsuden) and the pagoda. Worshippers stand in the outer chamber facing the inner sanctuary, with its images of the Buddha, to pray, pressing their palms together.

•Square plan•Five-storey height (45 meters)•In construction they are virtually suspended around a central timber,to provide stability against earthquake.•The ground storey contains images and shrines•The upper storey serve as 'belvederes'

Palaces

Castles in Japan underwent their most intensive phase of development in the Sengoku (Warring States) era from the 15th to the 16th century. Built with the object of keeping the enemy out, they are elaborate in design and strongly fortified. Their magnificent architecture also served to demonstrate the power of the joshu, or lord of the castle.

House and Residence

-Construction method - Shinden-zukuri

- Shoin-zukuri

Construction Method of The Japanese Traditional House

Japanese cities have come to look like those of Europe because of the increase in the number of prefabricated and ferroconcrete buildings. However, the style of building that is best suited to the Japanese climate and natural conditions is probably still the traditional wooden house, and it is certainly nicer to look at.

• In around the eleventh century, when Japan's unique culture came into full bloom, members of the aristocracy began to build a distinctive style of house for themselves called shinden-zukuri. This type of house, which stood in the midst of a large garden, was symmetrical, and its rooms were connected with long hallways. It allowed residents to enjoy seasonal events and the beauty of nature.

SHINDEN-ZUKURI HOUSES

SHOIN-ZUKURI HOUSES

• As political power passed from the nobles to the samurai (warrior class) and a new form of Buddhism made its way to Japan, core aspects of traditional Japanese culture as we know it today began to take root, including ikebana (flower arranging), the tea ceremony, and Noh. The samurai created their own style of house called shoin-zukuri. This influence can be seen in the alcove ornament of the guest

TEA HOUSE

THE END