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Japanese Architecture

The document discusses the architectural characteristics and history of traditional Japanese architecture. It covers styles like Shinden-zukuri houses, Shoin-zukuri houses, Japanese temples, pagodas, palaces, castles, and zen gardens. Key elements of Japanese architecture discussed include columns, roofs, wood construction, and an emphasis on integrating buildings with nature.

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48 views

Japanese Architecture

The document discusses the architectural characteristics and history of traditional Japanese architecture. It covers styles like Shinden-zukuri houses, Shoin-zukuri houses, Japanese temples, pagodas, palaces, castles, and zen gardens. Key elements of Japanese architecture discussed include columns, roofs, wood construction, and an emphasis on integrating buildings with nature.

Uploaded by

Cosmic Beats
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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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
noticeable in timber construction.
• Flat terrace roof that are dominant to form contrast from Middle-East 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.
• The distinctive feature of a traditional Japanese building is the way in which the house is
open to nature. The main materials used are wood, earth, and paper, and the construction
spreads out sideways rather than upwards.
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".
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 ventilation.
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
• 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
Kofun period
• Marked the appearance of many-chambered burial mounds or
tumuli (kofun literally means "old mounds"). Similar mounds
in Korean peninsula are thought to have been influenced
by japan.

Shinto architecture
• Shrine buildings are situated according to the environment
• Komainu, pairs of lion like figures placed in front of the gates
or main halls of many shrines, serve as shrine guardians.
• The nature of Shinto worship changed, following the
introduction of Buddhism, and shrine buildings borrowed
certain elements from Buddhist architecture. For example,
many shrines were painted in the Chinese style: red columns
and white walls.
• The jinja, or shrine, is where believers in Japan's indigenous
religion, Shinto, go to worship. Shinto originated in ancient
peoples' fears of demons and supernatural powers, and their
worship of these. It has no written body of doctrine, but it is
Japan's main religion and is practiced widely through
ceremonies and festivals.
SHRINES
1. Torii – Shinto gate
Parts of
Japanese
a Shrine 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
Japan Buddhist Temple and Pagodas
Japan Buddhist Temple and Pagodas
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.
Parts of
aPagoda
Plan
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.
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.
SHINDEN-ZUKURI HOUSES

In around the eleventh century,


when Japan's unique culture came
into full bloom, members of the
aristocracy began build a
distinctive to house for
themselves style
called ofshinden-
This type of house,
zukuri. 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.
SHOIN-ZUKURI HOUSES TEA HOUSE

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
JAPANESE ZEN GARDENS
• The Japanese rock garden or "dry landscape"
garden, often called a zen garden, creates a
miniature stylized landscape through
carefully composed arrangements of
rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees
and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is
raked to represent ripples in water.
• A zen garden is usually relatively small,
surrounded by a wall, and is usually meant to
be seen while seated from a single
viewpoint outside the garden, such as the
porch of the hojo, the residence of the chief Ryōan-ji (late
monk of the temple or monastery. 15th century)
• Classical zen gardens were created at temples in Kyoto,
of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan during the Japan, a
Muromachi Period. famous
• They were intended to imitate the example of a
intimate essence of nature, not its actual zen garden
appearance, and to serve as an aid to
meditation about the true meaning of life.
• Zen gardens however, are created with
little plant material, and have neither pond
nor river. This garden has only rock, gravel,
sand, and perhaps a few pieces of moss.
• The Zen garden originally was created
as an aid to meditation and to teach
the principles of the religion.
• Zen gardens are regarded as
representational of Zen discipline, because
the garden is regarded as expressions of
individual worlds of thought, therefore, The Japanese Zen gardens often are not to be entered,
copying was strictly forbidden. especially the sand areas of the garden. In the Zen
• Their true meaning lies in the garden, sand represents water, and these areas often
were preciously racked into circles that signify water
viewer's imagination and interpretation ripples. It is to be viewed from a designated distance.
abstractof symbolism
the landscape.
• Most Zen gardens rely on a strong sense
of enclosure for its mood.
• Enclosure functions as the
garden's definition, and is often a
quiet escape place.
• The surrounding wall represents a
visual boundary or by placing stones
against the ground and gravel.

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