Contents A. Context B. Historical period C. Examples
A. Context 1. General characteristics A string of rocky volcanic islands lying out in the pacific Well situated for commerce Warmed by ocean currents (sea breezes) producing equitable temperature Forests with diversity of trees/90% of ancient Japan, now 60% (known for their gardens)
Timber is Chief building material due to the prevalence of earth quake Refinement of details, minuteness in carving and decoration
2. Religion Shinto Indigenous religion No definite moral code Ancestor and nature worship Less desire for graven images or elaborate temples
Matsuri Parade, Japan A matsur is a traditional festival of the native Shinto faith of Japan, frequently involving the parading of a portable shrine, or mikoshi, round the local parish. Shinto rites are traditionally tied to the seasons of the agricultural year, for Shinto has retained close ties to the land.
3. Traditional System of Proportion Ken a unit of measure The 'ken' is a linear unit of measure used in traditional Japanese construction. The unit is based upon the length of a tatami mat which is approximately (0.9m x 1.8m).
The tatami mat consists of a thin layer of tightly woven rushes on top of a coarser mat of straw tightly bound with cords. The mats are ideal flooring in that they are not too soft to walk on nor too hard to lie down on.
Since the mats are used for sitting or resting, tatami PROPORTIONS are based on the size of a person. When the designers of a traditional Japanese house first begins drawing up plans for the building, they first determines how many tatami mats will be needed to cover the floor.
By designing different layouts, the final configuration of the mats will determine the shape and size of the house. In this way the architecture employs a unit of measurement that is standardized and originates from the proportion of a person.
B. Historical periods 1. (4500BC 250) Jomon Period Neolitic period 2. Yayoi period (200BC 250 AD) 3. Kofun period (250AD- 552 AD)..
B. Historical periods (Details) A.Early Settlement 1.The Jomon Period (c. 10,000 bc-c. 300 bc) 2.The Yayoi Period (c. 300 bc-c. ad 300) B.The Kofun Period (c. 300-710) C.The Nara Period (710-794) D.The Heian Period (794-1185) E.The Kamakura Period (1185-1333) F.Muromachi Period (1333-1568) G.The Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568-1600) H.The Edo Period (1600-1868) I.The Meiji Era (1868-1912) J.The Taisho Era (1912-1926) K.The Early Showa Era (1926-1945) L.The Later Showa Era (1945-1989) M.The Heisei Era (1989- )
C. Examples 1. Tea Houses Built for tea drinking ceremony, which is a cult in itself and closely associated with Japanese love and peace Originally associated with Zen Buddhist monks who drink tea to keep themselves awake during contemplation
2. Gardens They represent the world in miniature You don t walk in a Japanese garden, but view it from the gallery or verandah
2. Gardens Japanese garden design comes in many varieties. Regardless of the size or purpose, most Japanese gardens use stones, bushes, trees, and water to suggest or replicate natural settings. Typical plants in Japanese gardens include azaleas, cutleaf maples, and pines.
3. Japanese Merchant's House This traditional merchant s house in Japan shows some characteristic features of Japanese architecture. The bamboo screen gives some privacy while still allowing easy access for customers, in a building that would have been both private house and business premises.
The overhang of the tiled roof gave some protection from the rain to those standing outside, while the shoji (waxed-paper screens) allowed light into the interior while maintaining privacy, in a country where glass was uncommon.
4. Byodoin Temple Buddhist temple located in Uji near Kyoto, Japan, was completed in 1053. The Hall (right) was originally an aristocrat s country retreat but was converted to a monastery in 1053 when the rest of the temple was constructed.
5. Horyu-ji (Temple)
5. Horyu-ji Ji means temple Late 7 th century The tall pagoda was balanced by the width of the golden hall Created the situation of dynamic balance between the verticality of the structures and general horizontality of the forms
5. Horyu-ji Sloping and ornamented projecting curved roofs are also striking features
5. Horyu-ji