Japanese Architecture

Japanese Architecture
Geographical Influences
• Composed of chain of islands
• Climatic conditions vary widely from the
subarctic north to the subtropical south.
• Largest area of the country is the
temperate zone.
• Eastern shores of Japan bounded by the
Pacific ocean .
• Prevalence of earthquakes.
• Volcanic origin.
• Shortage in lime and sandstones.
• Rugged hill country
• Forest and wild vegetation.
Architectural character

• Architectural character largely derived from China.

• Carvings and decorations on timber construction.
• Dominant roof w/c from a striking constant w/practice in he middle east and India.
• Exquisite curvatures supported upon a simple or compound brackets.
• Upper part of the roof is terminated by a gable placed vertically above the end walls.
• Japanese columns followed the Chinese forms.
• Light is introduced principally through doorways.
• Window openings are filled with timber trellis provided with shutters externally and
paper usually rice paper in light shades.
• Columns receive the main load from the roof and the wall panels are entirely non
structural.
Basic architectural principals
Over the course of Japans history, many architectural styles have
been adopted as well as created that have all lead to the current state of
Japanese architecture. Like almost all other cultures, Japanese architects
adhered to certain cultural beliefs, ideas and principals that helped to define a
notorious style of architecture. These 6 principals are the principals that
Japanese architects adhered to while designing and building the elegant
structures that are scattered throughout Japan
o Preference for natural materials and settings.
o Restraint and exuberance.
o Attention to detail.
o Indigenous and foreign influences.
o Preserving the past.
o Status and function.
Japanese Architecture
Features
 Skilful use of various woods.
 Post and lintel structure.
 Roof is made of heavy timbers.
 Large and gently curved roof.
 Arches and barrel roofs are completely absent.
 Preference of the straight line over the curved.
 Paper-thin often movable and never load-bearing walls.
 Interior-multitude of partially screened.
 Geometrically-arranged rooms with sliding doors.
 Built with few nails or sometimes none.
Construction materials

 For free standing houses, wood frames are popular.

 Two-by-four construction is an alternative to the native style.
 Buildings may be clad in siding or faced with ceramic tile.
 Interiors often have drywall, painted or with a wall covering.
 Tile is a common roofing material; it may be fired clay or concrete.
 Clay tiles often bear a colour and a glaze.
The Roof
 The roof is the most visually
impressive component, often
constituting half the size of the wall
edifice.
 The slightly curved eaves extend far
beyond the walls, covering
verandas ,and their weight must
therefore be supported by complex
bracket system called Tokyo, in the
case of temples and shrines.
 Simpler solutions are adopted in
domestic structures.
 The over sized eaves give the interior
a characteristic dimness which
contribute the building atmosphere.
Japanese Architecture

 TWO METHODS OF ROOF FRAMING

• Corbelled transverse rainbow beams w/
frog leg truss.
• Single transverse beams supporting
central truss strengthened by diagonal
braces. Hipped

 FOUR ROOF TYPES

• Gabled (kirizuma-yane)
• Hipped (yosemune-yane)
• Pyramidal (hogyo-yane)
• Hip and gable combined (irimoya-yane)

Hip and gable

Japanese architectural periods

1. Pre-Buddhist period
2. Asuka period
3. Hakuho period
4. Nara period
5. Heian period
6. Kamakura period
7. Muromachi period
8. Azuchi-momoyama period
9. Tokugawa or edo period
10. Modern period
Asuka Period (538-645 AD)

 In 1538 Buddhism was introduced to Japan

 The period of time between the introduction to Buddhism and the Taika
reform of 645 is known as Asuka period
 The term ‘Asuka period’ used to describe a period in the history of fine arts
and architecture.
 During this period Japan was thoroughly transformed as it came under the
influence continental civilization
 Asuka period was the main factor in the rise of Buddhist architecture and art
The Main Worship Hall

• Usually found at the centre of the

temple grounds
• Inside are images of the Buddha,
other Buddhist images, an altar or
altars with various objects and space
for monks and worshippers
Pagoda

• Square plans
• Five storey high (45m)
• Have five storeys which represent the
five elements
Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Sky
• In construction, they are virtually
suspended around a central timber to
provide stability to earthquakes.
• Ground storey contains images and
shrines.
Shinto shrines

• Places of worship and the dwellings

of the kami, the Shinto ‘Gods’

Main Features
Komainu
Torii
Chozuya
Main sacturay
1. Torii-Shinto gate
2. Stone stairs
3. Sando-the approach to the shrine
4. Chozuya or temizuya-purification font to
cleanse one’s hads 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
Shinden-zukuri

• The style was characterized by

symmetrical buildings placed as
arms that defined an interior garden.
Thank you