CHINESE, JAPANESE AND KOREAN ARCHITECTURE

A Research Presented to the

University of Mindanao (Main)

Davao City

In partial fulfillment of the Requirement

For the History of Architecture 3
Ar. Nurvin Bustillo

Geli, Kaye Monique

December 28, 2019

Chinese Architecture

Chinese architecture is an important component of the world architectural system as it

is one of the main influencers of its other neighboring countries when it comes to

architectural style and forms. It had a major influence on countries such as Japan, Korea,

Mongolia, and Vietnam, and a varying amount of influence on the architectural styles of

Southeast and South Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand,

Laos, Cambodia and The Philippines. Chinese architecture features timberwork combining

stone carving, rammed earth construction, bucket arch buildings and plenty of different

techniques. Chinese architecture is classified according to type, from pagodas to palaces.

There are many types of variations in Chinese architecture based on status or association,

such as reliance on whether the buildings were designed for emperors, commoners, or used

for religious purposes.

One of the important features in Chinese architecture is its emphasis on articulation

and bilateral symmetry, which signifies balance. In Chinese architecture, bilateral symmetry

and building articulation are found everywhere. Confucianism influenced the design of

classical Chinese city and Chinese architecture, it established the strict doctrines to put the

society in order with rules and filial piety. One of the basic principles of classical Chinese

building is the use of a module. They tend to use “Jian” – a rectangular space marked by

adjacent structural frames wherein odd numbers are allowed while even numbers are

considered unlucky.

Chinese architecture have several architectural features such as Dougong” – bracket

sets, “Muguija” – timber frames, “Taizi” – podium , “Courtyard” and , “Wuding” – which is

the roof. Wuding also has different types, Renzi Xuan Shan, Renzi Yin Shan, Juan Peng, Lu
Ding, Fudian, Xie Shan, Conical Cuan Jian and Renzi with Parapet Wall. Feng Shui and

Bagua also influenced their architecture thru these beliefs. Since Buddhism was influenced to

them by India around the first century AD, it spread and became the most influential religion

in china. Pagoda, a symbol of Buddhism is often erected in temples. Pagodas have an odd

number of layers, its cross-section shapes are rectangular, eight sided or even circular.

Grottoes are a form of Buddhist architecture originated from India Stupa also appeared in

China with the import of Buddhism.

The long Chinese feudal society saw numerous palaces being constructed to

accommodate the extravagant lifestyles of the emperors and secure their reign's stability. A

typical example is the Forbidden City

The Great Wall of China is one of the finest example of a notable Chinese

architecture, it is also one of the most famous on the Great land of China. It a series of stone

and earthen fortifications built by a number of emperors to protect the northern borders

against normadic tribes. Temple of Heaven is a complex located in the southern end of a

central Beijing. It is used by the emperor to make offering to the heaven and to pray for a

good harvest. Summer Palace is situated 13 km northwest of central Beijing, the summer

palace is one of the largest, best preserved, and most interesting royal gardens in the world.

Modern Chinese architecture refers to all that has been developed in China since the

mid-1800s and contains a wide range of architectural styles. Some buildings, including

restaurants, hotels and stores began to incorporate western elements. Modern icons include

buildings such as the Jin Mao Building and the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai and the

National Grand Theater and the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing.

Chinese architecture has it all, from combining traditional elements and new

technologies to cutting-edge modern architectural icons. After the start of the Opium wars in
the 1840s, Chinese architecture began to blend traditional Chinese style and western

architectural characteristics. But the ancient Chinese architecture style is still used as

inspiration to their buildings and lots of notable structures are being protected and preserved.

Japanese Architecture

Japan has an impressive range of buildings that show various architectural types from

farmhouses to large imperial palaces. Early native designs were linked to strong

Asian influences, imported styles were adapted to local tastes, and recent history saw the

introduction of Western architecture into Japan. Traditionally, buildings were built in wood-

partly due to the abundance of timber and the relatively good resistance of the material to

earthquakes.

On the early time of Japan, the Jomon Period (13000 BC to 300 BC). The inhabitants

of Japan at that time were mainly gatherers, fishers and hunters. Dwellings were built directly

over an earth floor with a wood foundation and a thatched straw roof. Communities became

organized eventually 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.

Structures such as village fences and watch towers appeared.

Shrines in ancient times, at temporarily demarcated sites without structures, Shinto

rituals were performed outdoors. Temporary structures were later used that were eventually

replaced by permanent shrine buildings that housed the deity. Early shrine buildings precede

Buddhism's introduction and represent native Japanese styles of architecture.

Temples came along with the importation around the 6th century of Buddhism from

China. At first, in features such as large courtyards and symmetrical forms, temples closely

resembled those in China. Imperial palaces are the seat of the Emperor. In the past, a new

palace was built with the relocation of the capital every time a new emperor ascended to the
throne. In 710, the first permanent capital was set up in Nara, and thus the first permanent

palace, the Heijo Palace, was built.

The civil war was a way to construct castles. The castles were originally built for

fortification purposes and became the center of government and status symbols for the

regional lords as war drew to an end and Japan was reunited in the late 1500s. During the Edo

Period (1603 - 1867), the samurai were required to reside in the castle towns that surrounded

the castles. Townhouses were populated by craftsmen and merchants. Most townhouses had

relatively narrow façades but stretched far into the back as taxation was often dependent on

access to the lane. There was a traditional townhouse in front of it, the living quarters behind

it, and a storehouse (kura) in the back.

Farmers in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) made up most of Japan's population. Based

on widely varying weather patterns, various farmhouse construction styles evolved. However,

architectural similarities can be seen between dwellings across the country, such as the

wooden facades, thatched roofs, sunken hearths (irori), earth floors for stable and kitchen,

and living spaces on elevated wooden floors that may have included some tatami rooms in

case of the more well-off families.

When it comes to contemporary architecture, Japan is a major source of this with lots

of eye-catching creations mainly in the leading cities, especially Tokyo. Many Japanese

architects on the international scene have made their mark. Architects like Ando Tadao and

Kenzo Tange, who has won numerous architectural awards and designed several buildings in

Japan as well as abroad

Japanese architecture, the built structures of Japan and their context. A pervasive

characteristic of Japanese architecture—and, indeed, of all the visual arts of Japan—is an

understanding of the natural world as a source of spiritual insight and an instructive mirror of

human emotion.

Korean Architecture

Traditionally, art created by the Korean people has shared aesthetic principles, motifs,

techniques and shapes with those of their neighbors, China and Japan. Korea has adapted the

Chinese architecture as they have close relations. However, given its many parallels, Korea's

art has established its own distinctive style. Korea’s architecture is characterized by

naturalistic tendencies, simplicity, economy of shape, and the avoidance of extremes. In

terms of technical perfection and precision, Korean artists have generally been considered

inferior to their immediate neighbors but Korean art's strength lies in its simplicity and

naturalness.

The first inhabitants of the Korean peninsula used caves, rockshelters, and portable

shelters. In the Mumun period buildings were pit dwellings with walls of wattle-and-daub and

thatched roofs. Buildings are organized vertically and horizontally in Korea's architecture. A

frame typically rises from a stone sub foundation to a curved tiled roof, maintained by a

console framework and supported on posts; walls are made of earth (adobe) or are often

composed entirely of moving wooden doors. Architecture is built according to the kan unit,

the distance between two posts (3.7 meters), and is designed so that there is always a

transitional space between the "inside" and the "outside."

 In the Three Kingdoms Period, some people lived in pit-houses while others lived in

raised-floor buildings. Goguryeo, the largest kingdom among the Three Kingdoms of Korea,

is famous for its mountain fortresses built horizontally and vertically along the incline of

slopes. Baekje on the other hand is a kingdom which established friendships with China and

Japan. Great temples were built during this time. The earliest stone pagoda of the Mireuksa

Temple in Iksan county is a wooden pagoda to a stone one were built. Baekje adapted diverse

influences and expressed its root from Chinese models. Later, important elements of the

architectural style of Baekje were adopted by Japan. Silla was the last of the three kingdoms

to become a whole kingdom. In Silla, Buddhist temples have been built. Cheomseongdae,

said to be the first stone observatory in Asia, is one of the well-known examples of Silla

architecture.

Many large palace and temple buildings are preserved from the Chosŏn period,

particularly those rebuilt after the Japanese invasion of 1592. The largest and most important

is the Kyŏngbok Palace, originally a complex of more than 100 buildings. The entire palace

was burned down during the Japanese invasion in the late 1500s but it was reconstructed

between 1865 and 1867. Kŭnjŏng Hall, the palace’s throne hall, built in the decorative tap’o

style, is the largest throne hall in Korea.

In the last decades of the 19th century, when Korea was forced to enter into

arrangements with foreign governments, the full impact of modern Western art started.

During the colonial period, most public buildings were constructed in Western architectural

styles by the Japanese, the most notable example of which was the Chosŏn Governor-

General’s Hall, constructed in 1926. Korean architects took on the task of reconstruction

following the Korean War, - which separated the North Korea and South Korea . In 1970s the

trend in Korean architecture was to adopt International style. In the 1980s the variety of
architectural projects expanded, leading to the adoption of postmodernism, including the

reinterpretation of traditional Korean architecture.

Korean architecture, the built structures of Korea and their context. Like the other arts

of Korea, architecture is characterized by naturalistic tendencies, simplicity, economy of

shape, and the avoidance of extremes. What was a sharply curving Chinese roof was

modified in Korea into a gently sloping roof. Sharp angles, strong lines, steep planes, and

garish colours are all avoided. It typically exhibits a quiet inner harmony. But after Korea

was opened to the West, Western culture influenced the Korean tradition both socially and

economically, and architecture was no exception.

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