History of
JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
GROUP 4:
ESPIRITU, LOURIE ANNE C.
BACLIG, SEIJI BRYAN
BANDI, JAMAICA
Page
AGENDA
Introduction
General Characteristics
Influences
Historical, Social, and Religious
Climatic
Architectural Characteristics
Roofs
Early Japanese Architecture
Japan Shrines
Buddhist and Temple Pagodas
Castles
House and Residence
INTRODUCTION
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
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.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
An indigenous religious sensibility that long preceded Buddhism perceived that a spiritual realm was
manifest in nature. Rock outcroppings, waterfalls, and gnarled old trees were viewed as the abodes of
spirits and were understood as their personification. This belief system endowed much of nature with
numinous qualities. It nurtured, in turn, a sense of proximity to and intimacy with the world of spirit as
well as a trust in nature’s general benevolence. The cycle of the seasons was deeply instructive and
revealed, for example, that immutability and transcendent perfection were not natural norms.
Everything was understood as subject to a cycle of birth, fruition, death, and decay. Imported Buddhist
notions of transience were thus merged with the indigenous tendency to seek instruction from nature.
Attentive proximity to nature developed and reinforced an aesthetic that generally avoided artifice. In
the production of works of art, the natural qualities of constitutive materials were given special
prominence and understood as integral to whatever total meaning a work professed. When, for
example, Japanese Buddhist sculpture of the 9th century moved from the stucco or bronze Tang
models and turned for a time to natural, unpolychromed woods, already ancient iconographic forms
were melded with a preexisting and multilevel respect for wood.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
Union with the natural was also an element of Japanese architecture. Architecture seemed to conform
to nature. The symmetry of Chinese-style temple plans gave way to asymmetrical layouts that followed
the specific contours of hilly and mountainous topography. The borders existing between structures
and the natural world were deliberately obscure. Elements such as long verandas and multiple sliding
panels offered constant vistas on nature—although the nature was often carefully arranged and
fabricated rather than wild and real.
The perfectly formed work of art or architecture, unweathered and pristine, was ultimately considered
distant, cold, and even grotesque. This sensibility was also apparent in tendencies of Japanese religious
iconography. The ordered hierarchical sacred cosmology of the Buddhist world generally inherited
from China bore the features of China’s earthly imperial court system. While some of those features
were retained in Japanese adaptation, there was also a concurrent and irrepressible trend toward
creating easily approachable deities. This usually meant the elevation of ancillary deities such as Jizō
Bosatsu (Sanskrit: Kshitigarbha bodhisattva) or Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokiteshvara bodhisattva) to levels
of increased cult devotion. The inherent compassion of supreme deities was expressed through these
figures and their iconography.
INFLUENCES
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
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 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
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
During Suiko Period (A.D. 522-645) Buddhism became firmly
established.
Feudalism, in the 13th century recognized 3 groups:
1. The Emperor and Nobles
2. The Shoguns with military caste
3. The people
Under Tokugawa dynasty (1603-1868) Emperor 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.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND
CLIMATIC
RELIGIOUS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
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.
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND
RELIGIOUS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
The main religion in Japan is Buddhist or known as
Shinto.
Graph of religion distribution in Japan:
Buddhist/Shinto
70.4%
New Religions
23.6%
Non-religious/other
1.56%
Christian
0.12%
HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND
VI. CLIMATIC
RELIGIOUS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
The main religion in Japan is Buddhist or known as
Shinto.
Graph of religion distribution in Japan:
Buddhist/Shinto
70.4%
New Religions
23.6%
Non-religious/other
1.56%
Christian
0.12%
IARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
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.
ROOFS
ROOFS
EARLY JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
JOMON PERIOD
The earliest period in Japan lasted from around 13000 BC to 300 BC.
Dwellings were built directly over an earth floor with a wood
foundation 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"
CHARACTERISTICS:
Huts built digging as deep as 2-3 feet deep.
Trees used as pillars to support roof
Roof is made of long grass or skin woods.
Shape like tent with small ridge on the roof for ventallation.
EARLY JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
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 in living quarters.
Houses were built on stilts to keep away pest. Structures such as
village fences and watch towers were applied.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Yayoi Architecture is similar to architecture of South East Asia
where buildings are raised up from ground.
Used Gable Roof.
The roof is over a wattle screen wall surrounded by a damp-
excluding ditch.
JAPAN SHRINE
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
SHINTO SHRINES
JAPAN SHRINE
JAPAN SHRINE
1. TORII - Shinto Gate
2. STONE STAIRS
3. SANDO - The approach to the shrine
4. CHOZUYA OR TEMIZUYA - Purification font to cleanse
one's hand and mouth
5. TORO - 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
The most important buildings in the temple
are the main hall (Hond, Kondo, 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.
JAPAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND
PAGODAS
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
GOJU NO TO PAGODA
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 "Belvederez"
JAPAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND
PAGODAS
JAPAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND
PAGODAS
Hoju: the topmost chamber,
Suien: a decoration in the said to house the Buddha's
shape of a nobbleman's remains
carriage.
Horin: Nine Rings
Ukebana: a decoration in the
shape of a flower
Shimbashira: the
central pillar
CASTLES
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
Castles in Japan underwent their most intensive phase
of development in the Sengoku (Warring States) era
from the 15th to 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
CASTLES
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
Japanese cities have come to look like those of Europe
because of the increase number of prefabricated and
ferroconcrete buildings. However, the style of the
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.
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
SHINDEN ZUKURI HOUSES
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.
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
Japanese
ARCHITECTURE
SHOIN ZUKURI HOUSES
As a political power passed from the nobles to the samurai
(warrior class) and a new form of Buddhism made its way to
Japan, sore 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 aclove ornament of the guest
HOUSE AND RESIDENCE
TEA HOUSE
Arigatou gozaimasu
SAYONARA!!!
