Influence of Buddhism on Japanese Architecture - Essay Example

Influence of Buddhism on Japanese Architecture Japanese architecture has changed greatly to reflect the different historical periods that have characterized the country’s progression towards the modern period with Buddhism being among the factors that have considerable influences in the transformation of Japanese architectural designs over these periods. Buddhism religion entered Japan from the three kingdoms of Korea and china in the 6th century the result of this introduction being the transformation of culture the local people. Among the areas that experienced such transformations are the architectural designs beginning with the temples, shrines and monasteries. There is little physical evidence as well as records of Japanese architecture of the early century. This is due to geographical and historical reasons such as fires, earthquakes and floods. However, archeologist and researchers determines that early forms of Japanese housing was characterized by dirt floors and thatched roofs. The simple way of life during the period up to the 3rd century reflected the cultural way of life of a people whose main occupation was rice cultivation. However, continued population growth resulted in more complex ways of life as people become specialized leading to a change in architecture which included large and more complex buildings for the local ruling family (Young, 2007). The architectural design of Buddhist temples that were introduced in Japan followed the traditional forms that been developed in Korea and China. A number of buildings that made up seven structures were to be found within one compound. These structures included among others the main hall, pagoda, repository for sutras, lecture hall, bell tower, dining hall and dormitory with a wall made of clay enclosing the compound with each of the sides having a gate. In this arrangement, the main object of worship was placed in the main hall with the lecture hall which was the largest construction being used by the monks as study place, religious instructions or for performing various religious rituals. There were also towers in the compound, one housing the bells used for announcing religious daily functions while there was also a tower that housed canonical texts therefore acting as a sutra repository. The dormitories and the mess hall were located either to the sides or behind the inner grounds (Bogel, 2002). Although the earlier forms of architecture that had been in existence before introduction of Buddhism utilized wood as the main construction martial, introduction of the religion by the Chinese led to novel approaches in the way wood technology was applied in construction. Before the entrance of temple architecture introduced in Japan by Buddhism, there existed simple forms of beam and post technology explored in the design and construction of various structures. Post and beams were a preferred material in the construction of different types of building due to their suitability in creating flexible joinery. This was an important aspect considering the buildings were constructed in a land where typhoons and earthquakes were part of the frequent natural occurrence. The entry of the Chinese into Japan led to the transformation of wooden construction into an aspect of structural and artistic revelation and complete as any of the great styles of masonry architecture. The structures were designed with their interior wood columns holding the loads but the exterior walls were thin and covered by woodwork as well as plaster. These structures did not include the use of diagonal members to support the structure while the framing included a system of horizontals and uprights. The curvatures in the column outlines, rafters and brackets shapes as well as the overhanging roofs lead to the appearance of vivacity and elegance of the structures (Fang, Iwasaki, Shen, Miyamoto and Hikosaka, 2001). Among the greatest evidence of the influence of Buddhism on Japanese architecture is an old wooden building located at Horyu-ji southwest of Nara which provides an important insight into the features of architecture in Japan. The building is believed to be the main private temple that used for Buddhists ceremonies by the Crown Prince Shotoku during his reign. The temple consists of up to forty one separate buildings one of them being the main worship hall and the main worship structure (also referred to as Kondo) is located at the center of an open area within the compound. The two storied worship hall was designed and supported by use of post and beam construction materials reflecting the Chinese architecture brought to Japan via introduction of Buddhism. This historical building was recognized by the UNESCO World Heritage property because of its relevance in the historical development of Japanese culture and influence of Buddhism from the 6th century (Weaver, 2003). The continued influence of Buddhism in Japanese architecture led to the development of a distinct form of Japanese architectural style that gained prominence especially in the Heian period that lasted from 898 to 1185. These structures were not only constructed for religious purposes, but application of the concepts was also borrowed in the construction of residential houses. Structures during this period revealed great influences from the Buddhism especially with their stone and timber walls. The structural designs also feature square set houses while sliding doors increasingly became common. Another new feature that was introduced during the period when Buddhism spread in Japan was the introduction of elaborate gardens to give natural look that took to the compounds. The new design featured the main building overlooking the garden (Saito, 2007). The Heian period from 898 to 1185 also saw development of residential houses for the members of the noble class with the main architectural design being the shinden zukuri style that assimilated aspects of the Buddhist temple worship halls. This style incorporated aspects of the bisymmetrical structures of the T'ang dynasty with their halls being linked to each other by an enclosed passageways. The inner part of the shinden style also maintained their similarities to the worship halls except for round pillars that were used. The paces inside these residential houses was divided using reed curtains, folding screens and curtain stands with the floor being of wooden planks. Rush mats and cushions were placed on the floor and were used for sleeping and sitting purposes by the samurai worriers and nobility. However, these designs were not suitable for the Japanese weather especially the cold seasons as it gave little fortification from the cold winters (Marja, 2003). As progression in the development of Japanese style of architecture continued to rely on the introduction of Buddhism, the 13th century period witnessed a further milestone in this aspect when Zen Buddhism was introduced in Japan. The new architectural design reveals great extent of borrowing from Chinese architecture especially with their symmetrical simplicity of design. The Zen Buddhist designs were characterized by a hall of worship which had a large chancel and a flat ceiling painted with Zen idea of dragons in clouds The emergence of Zen Buddhism led to the development of the shoin-zukuri style. Ashikaga Yoshimasa used this style in the construction of Zen temples with an existing example of shoin (study/library) architecture being one build in 1486. The continued development of shoin style evolved from over the years to become a spacious setting that was used for the spectacle of the feudal warlords. This was transformed from being used as a library to luxuries setting that was larger and decorated by ornamentation with the square cut pillars providing an allowance for the installation of lintels and sills between the pillars. An example of shoin style that has endured the past centuries and stands even today is found in the Ninomaru Hall of Nijo Castle situated in Kyoto. Such a fully developed structure based on the shoin style integrates multiple aspects of the elements of traditional Japanese interiors (Marja, 2003). References Bogel, C. J. (2002). Canonizing Kannon: The Ninth-Century Esoteric Buddhist Altar at Kanshinji. Art Bulletin, 30-64. Fang, D. P., Iwasaki, S., Yu, M. H., Shen, Q. P., Miyamoto, Y., & Hikosaka, H. (2001). Ancient Chinese timber architecture. II: Dynamic characteristics. Journal of structural engineering, 127(11), 1358-1364. Marja, S. (2003). Layouts and Layers: Spatial Arrangements in Japan and Korea. Sungkyun Journal of East Asian Studies, 3(2), 80-108. Saito, Y. (2007). The moral dimension of Japanese aesthetics. The Journal of aesthetics and art criticism, 65(1), 85-97. Weaver, M. E. (2003). Successes and Failures in the Conservation of Wooden Structures. Journal of Architectural Conservation, 9(3), 36-50. Young, M. (2007). The art of Japanese architecture. North Clarendon, Vermont: Tuttle Publishing. Read More