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Japanese Architecture

CLIMATE, GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS

The region lies in an earthquake prone area which has had great impact on the
cultural as well as architectural evolution. Most of the topography is of mountainous
nature(rugged hills) , while 80% of the land is forests and vegetation. The climate is

moderate temperature, but there is heavy rainfall, especially in the summer. There is
also influence of cold air stream from Asia and warm stream from the Pacific. There
can be found a wide diversity of trees all throughout the country. Bamboo is available
in plenty which is widely used in buildings. In addition, stone(granite and sandstone) is
used for foundation, while timber is used as well for superstructure.

Japan has historically remained isolated from other nations. Also, it is one of the
nations that have never been conquered. Hence, there were a lot of superstitions in
the nation existing before Buddhism became popular during 6th century A.D.

ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Much of the architectural development has been influenced from Chinese architectural
principles. The early Japanese architecture is quite obscure. The major development
took place after the influence of Buddhism, wherein numerous Buddhist temples were
created in quick succession during the sixth century A.D.
Like in Chinese architecture, attention was given to details in Japanese buildings,
coupled with minuteness in carving and decoration in timber construction. Also, the roof
was the dominant feature. The Irimoya roof(hip and gable roof) was a major feature in

majority of religious structures in Japan and China.


Due to the heavy rainfall, the eaves projected deeper, while the brackets were more
curved. Symmetry, balance, harmony and unity were found in almost all building
structures in Japanese architecture. One of the main features of Japanese architecture
was the double storeyed gateways or tori.

JAPANESE PAGODA

Japanese pagodas are adjuncts of temples,


square in plan, generally five storeyed and rising
to a height of around 45 metres. The pagodas
contain an image in the ground floor. The roofs
have exquisite curvature. The five roofs
represent the five elements of nature viz. sky,
wind, fire, water and earth. There are numerous
similarities between Chinese and Japanese
pagodas. Chinese pagodas are relatively simple
in terms of ornamentation and form; while the
Japanese counterparts are adorned with more
colour and more ornamentation. Moreover the
eaves in the roof of a Japanese pagoda project
out much more than in a Chinese pagoda

which is basically since there is more rainfall in


Japan.

TYPICAL JAPANESE HOUSE


Most of the houses have a vestibule, a verandah, living room, dining room, guest room with
tokonama(a raised decorative corner used for display of flowers and art etc.). Japanese

house design is based on the concept of flexible spaces. There are usually no bedrooms, and
each room can be converted into a bedroom as per need by spreading floor mats known as
tatami. Most houses are single storeyed.
Size regulations of the rooms are as per the size of the floor mats, which are usually
proportion of kens( 1 ken = 1.8 metre approx.). Most common dimension of a tatami was 1
ken x 2 ken. The sizes of the rooms were usually proportionate to the sizes and number of
tatamis to be spread in the rooms.

Light weight movable timber partitions were used in interiors. The doors were usually
sliding with Shoji partitions(made out of translucent paper screens). The panels could be
adjusted horizontally to allow the entire house to be opened to the garden. In heavy
earthquake prone regions, house walls are constructed with wood or stout paper filling to
avoid heavy casualties in case of a quake.
The main feature of a Japanese house is that it is based on minimalism in the interiors, in
terms of furniture as well as materials.

TEMPLE COMPLEX OF HORYUJI


The temple complex was used as a place of worship and school for teachings of Buddha. The
complex consists of two parts a five storeyed pagoda and a main hall(Kondo) with a covered
gallery all around. The overall design utilizes natural terrain of the site perfectly. Emphasis is
given on decoration in interiors through unique art works and frescoes depicting Buddhas life
storeys. Some important architectural features are :
Approach steps - Portico resting upon timber columns and tie beams
Interior columns elaborate compound bracketing to support the roof
Isolated structures within concentric enclosures
Outer enclosure low wall
Second promenade for priests
Third roofed screen wall

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