Rak244 2024 - Japanese Architecture

RAK 244 HISTORY & THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
ARCHITECTURE IN EASTERN ASIA:

JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
dr. mazran ismail
RAK 244 ARCHITECTURE IN EASTERN ASIA
RAK 244 ARCHITECTURE IN EASTERN ASIA
CHINESE
BRACKET SYSTEM
(DOUGONG)
TOKYO
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE: HISTORICAL TIMELINE
XIA DYNASTY BUDDHISM FROM CHINA via Korea
SHANG DYNASTY JOMON PERIOD
ZHOU DYNASTY
QIN DYNASTY YAYOI PERIOD

BUDDHISM FROM INDIA HAN DYNASTY
THE 6 DYNASTIES KOFUN PERIOD
(220-589)
SUI DYNASTY ASUKA PERIOD

NARA PERIOD 520-550AD
TANG DYNASTY
WESTERN ISLAMIC JAPANESE

ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE: HISTORICAL TIMELINE
BUDDHISM FROM CHINA via Korea
JOMON PERIOD
YAYOI PERIOD
KOFUN PERIOD
ASUKA PERIOD
NARA PERIOD
HEIAN PERIOD
KAMAKURA-
MUROMOCHI
PERIOD
AZUCHI-MOMOYAMA PERIOD
EDO PERIOD
MEIJI PERIOD
WESTERN ISLAMIC JAPANESE
ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE ARCHITECTURE
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE :
THE EARLY PERIOD
ANCIENT
 JOMON and YAYOI cultures
 Excavations: houses had thatched roofs
& dirt floors (wooden floors in hot-humid Jomon Pit Houses
areas).
 Gussho System of construction based
on the principles of rigidity of a triangle
 Considered resistant to earthquake.
 Natural materials
 beams and rafters tied together, bound
in place by straw rope
THE EARLY PERIOD
RAISED FLOORS
(YAYOI PERIOD: 300 BC-300AD)
 The introduction of the elevated rice/grain
storehouse.
 Increased structural safety:
 a series of supporting posts resting on its own
foundation stone
 to withstand earthquake tremors (not like the
rigid stone or pounded earth foundations)
JAPANESE
ARCHITECTURE :
THE EARLY PERIOD
WORLD: MAJOR RELIGIONS
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : SHINTO INFLUENCE
 Shinto (‘the way of the gods’:

indigenous polydemonism existed in
Japan before the introduction of
Buddhism)
 lay great stress upon ancestor and

nature worship.
 the belief that a kami (deity) lives in
practically every natural object (e.g.
volcanoes, mountains, waterfalls,
rocks trees etc. *amaterasu’ –the
Sun Goddess)
 These kami are kept in Shinto

shrines and are where people can
worship.
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE:
SHINTO INFLUENCE
 The shrines don't have a particular

way of layout planning - it depends
on the environment.
 A path or roadway lined with stone

lanterns takes the worshipper from
the torii gate to the shrine.
 Shinto temples differ from Buddhist by the characteristic of ‘torii’ or gateways

formed by upright post supporting two or more horizontal beams, under
which worshippers must pass for prayers to be effected.
SHINTO SHRINE BUDDHIST TEMPLE

 Two major styles for the main hall:-
 a simple shape derived from the  a temporary main hall e.g.

granaries / storehouses of ancient Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka
Japan. e.g. Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture
 Reconstruction of shrine buildings was a

tradition meant
- to purify the shrine site & renew the
materials
- to help from fires & other natural
disasters
 This explains why the oldest main
Shinto shrine buildings go back to only
the 11th and 12th C.
BUDDHISM INFLUENCE
BUDDHISM AS AN HISTORICAL
INFLUENCE ON TRADITIONAL
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
 ASUKA PERIOD (538–710)

 Buddhism was introduced into Japan
from China via Korea
 Buddhist temples were built in the

continental manner (Chinese style)
 e.g. The Horyuji temple (607)- the

oldest wooden structures in the
world.
BUDDHISM INFLUENCE
 NARA PERIOD (710–794)
 Heijokyo (a capital city) was laid out in

Nara in a manner similar to the
Chinese capital, whereby streets were
arranged in a checkerboard pattern.
 Many temples and palace buildings of

this period were built in the Tang style
of China.
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : BUDDHISM INFLUENCE
 HEIAN PERIOD (794–1185)
 Chinese elements were fully assimilated and a truly national style developed.
THE PHOENIX HALL

BUDDHIST TEMPLE
 At first (in the Chinese fashion) the
compounds were neatly ordered;
 laid out within a rectangular walled
enclosure on relatively level ground
 the set of structures imposed on the
surrounding landscape.
 Later temples migrated to more

mountainous environments;
 building complexes spread over the terrain
in a seemingly random pattern to suit the
irregularity of the physical setting.
 Temple structures began to blend in more

fully with their environment & surroundings
 Buddhist temples: not merely a
single structure but rather an entire
complex of buildings
 structures included in typical

Buddhist temple complex;
 a massive gate marking the
entrance
 a multistorey pagoda protecting
an important religious relic
 a pair of smaller towers, one
housing a ceremonial drum; the
second, a large bronze bell.
 Main hall, lecture room, library
 Smaller chapels
 Introduced the Japanese to the principle
of multiple structures within a given
architectural space.
 Later palaces and castles, rural

farmhouses and urban residences alike
adopted this notion
 Incorporated garden and landscape

design as well into traditional residential
architectural planning.
 E.g. HEIAN PERIOD- the homes of the

nobility in Heiankyo, now Kyoto, were
built in the shinden-zukuri style, in which
the main buildings and sleeping quarters
stood in the architecture in Japan.
 the widespread use of clay tile as roofing material.
 The use of clay tile on temple roofs -- substantially

heavier than the straw it replaced -- led in turn to the
development of a sophisticated system of
bracketing to support the added weight.
 Initially this bracketing system was quite simple,

straight-forward and utilitarian.
 It evolved, however, into a complicated architectural

element increasingly utilized merely for decorative
effect.
 The use of the bracket system provided both

structural strength and the needed flexibility to
withstand earthquake and typhoon
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : HISTORICAL TIMELINE
ANCIENT ASUKA PERIOD NARA PERIOD KAMAKURA PERIOD

(538-710) (710-794) (1185-1333)
KOFUN PERIOD BUDDHISM FROM HEIAN PERIOD MUROMACHI PERIOD

(250AD-538) CHINA VIA KOREA (552) (794-1185) (1338-1573)
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : HISTORICAL TIMELINE
AZUCHI PERIOD MEIJI PERIOD SHOWA PERIOD WORLD WAR II

(1568-1600) (1868-1912) (1926-1989) (1939-1945)
EDO PERIOD TAISHO PERIOD JAPAN INVASION HEISEI PERIOD

(1603-1867) (1912-1926) OF CHINA (1937) (1989-)
JAPANESE ARCHI :
KAMAKURA-MUROMACHI
PERIOD
 the architectural styles changed from
big and elegant to simple and sturdy.
 Many houses were just plain,

MANMAJNI TEMPLE
symmetrical, and contained trenches.
 Important feature was the inclusion of

the ‘cha-sitson’ (Imat or Tatami)
 ‘Zen’, Buddhist doctrine
Room with tatami flooring and Shoji

JAPANESE ARCHI : KAMAKURA-MUROMACHI PERIOD
TEA HOUSES:
 Developed in this period
 Represent a most exclusive

Japanese Social Institution
 Maintained solely for the cult of

tea-drinking ceremony,
associated with contemplation A typical traditional tea-house
and appreciation of the arts.
JAPANESE ARCHI :
AZUCHI-MOMOYAMA PERIOD
 Shift from religious structure to

secular structure. Mostly palaces
and public buildings.
 Two new forms of architecture were THE HIMEJI CASTLE (1618)

developed in response to the
militaristic climate of the times:
 Castle- built to house feudal lord

 Shoin -hall and private area
THE MATSUMUTO CASTLE (1600)

JAPANESE ARCHI :
EDO PERIOD
 This period brought back a lot of
classic Japanese architecture.
 The city of Edo was struck by fires

repeatedly so architecture was THREE HALLS OF ENGYO-JI IN HIMEJI,
simplified to allow for easy HYOGO, 18TH C.
rebuilding.
 Structures: beautiful yet simple and

surrounded by clusters of other
houses.
 Often surrounded by gardens or

walking paths.
THE KATSURA-DETACHED PALACE

JAPANESE ARCHI :
MEIJI PERIOD
 When Emperor Meiji took charge,
new and different forms of culture
moved into Japan.
 European influences slowly

managed to work their way to MEIJI PERIOD
architecture.
 Government buildings and public

areas - more modern style
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : CHARACTERISTIC
 Houses face south, deeply projecting eaves are provided to give protection
against sun
 High courtyard walls screen the northern part from the cold winds of winter
 Was largely derived from China
 Dominant roofs.
 A system of cornice-bracketing in both simple and complex forms
 Characteristics of lightness and delicacy

 Noticeable in timber construction
ANALYSIS
PLAN
 Symmetrical and simplicity of design
WALLS
 Exterior walling is extremely thin
 Wall panels are entirely non-structural
OPENINGS
 Light is introduced principally through door
ways
 Window openings are filled with timber
trellis and provided with wooden shutters
externally; & paper – usually rice paper in
light sashes, internally.
ANALYSIS
ROOF
 Simpler in treatment and posses
more subtlety and refinement in
outline
 Simple or compound bracket An irimoya roof at Shimogamo Shrine
 Upper part is terminated by a gable

placed vertically above the end
walls, known as an irimoya roof (hip-
and-gable style)
 Curved brackets (kumo-hijiki) adorn
the underside of the over hanging
eaves.
A kumo-hijiki
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : ANALYSIS
 A lower roof, known as ‘hisashi’, is sometimes projected below the eaves
of the main roof
COLUMNS
 dominant in Japanese temples and in
facades to palaces and gateways
 Paneled when square, reeled and
richly lacquered when round or
octagonal
 Received the main load from the roof.
MOTIFS & DECORATIONS

 Typical subjects for motifs & decoration: Chrysanthemum, stork & pine
tree, birds, trees, clouds and water forms -carried a symbolic significance
In japanese Architecture
In Chinese Architecture
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : VS CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
In general, Japanese architecture was

hugely influenced by Chinese architecture,
but there are some distinctive, e.g.-
 Exposed wood: Painted in Chinese

buildings, traditionally unpainted in
Japanese buildings
 Wall/height of the openings: Influenced
by lifestyles- Chinese use chairs,
Japanese customarily sat on the floor
(especially before the Meiji period)
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE : VS CHINESE ARCHITECTURE
 Architecture in Japan has also

been influenced by the climate -
Summers in most of Japan are
long, hot, and humid;
 The traditional house is raised

- to promote air movement
around and beneath it.
 Timber/wood is chosen- cool in

summer, warm in winter, and
more flexible when subjected to
earthquakes.
Thank you

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RAK 244 HISTORY & THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

ARCHITECTURE IN EASTERN ASIA:

QIN DYNASTY YAYOI PERIOD

SUI DYNASTY ASUKA PERIOD

WESTERN ISLAMIC JAPANESE

 Shinto (‘the way of the gods’:

 lay great stress upon ancestor and

 These kami are kept in Shinto

 The shrines don't have a particular

 A path or roadway lined with stone

 Shinto temples differ from Buddhist by the characteristic of ‘torii’ or gateways

SHINTO SHRINE BUDDHIST TEMPLE

 a simple shape derived from the  a temporary main hall e.g.

 Reconstruction of shrine buildings was a

 ASUKA PERIOD (538–710)

 Buddhist temples were built in the

 e.g. The Horyuji temple (607)- the

 NARA PERIOD (710–794)

 Heijokyo (a capital city) was laid out in

 Many temples and palace buildings of

THE PHOENIX HALL

 Later temples migrated to more

 Temple structures began to blend in more

 structures included in typical

 Later palaces and castles, rural

 Incorporated garden and landscape

 E.g. HEIAN PERIOD- the homes of the

 The use of clay tile on temple roofs -- substantially

 Initially this bracketing system was quite simple,

 It evolved, however, into a complicated architectural

 The use of the bracket system provided both

ANCIENT ASUKA PERIOD NARA PERIOD KAMAKURA PERIOD

KOFUN PERIOD BUDDHISM FROM HEIAN PERIOD MUROMACHI PERIOD

AZUCHI PERIOD MEIJI PERIOD SHOWA PERIOD WORLD WAR II

EDO PERIOD TAISHO PERIOD JAPAN INVASION HEISEI PERIOD

 Many houses were just plain,

 Important feature was the inclusion of

 ‘Zen’, Buddhist doctrine

Room with tatami flooring and Shoji

 Developed in this period

 Represent a most exclusive

 Maintained solely for the cult of

 Shift from religious structure to

 Two new forms of architecture were THE HIMEJI CASTLE (1618)

 Castle- built to house feudal lord

THE MATSUMUTO CASTLE (1600)

 The city of Edo was struck by fires

 Structures: beautiful yet simple and

 Often surrounded by gardens or

THE KATSURA-DETACHED PALACE

 European influences slowly

 Government buildings and public

 A system of cornice-bracketing in both simple and complex forms

 Characteristics of lightness and delicacy

 Upper part is terminated by a gable

MOTIFS & DECORATIONS

In general, Japanese architecture was

 Exposed wood: Painted in Chinese

 Architecture in Japan has also

 The traditional house is raised