The Impact of Chinese and Korean Exemplars on the Development of Japanese Architecture - Essay Example

Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : xxxxxxxxxxx Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2015 Imрасt of Сhinеsе and Kоrеаn Ехеmрlаrs on thе Dеvееlорmеnt of Jараnеsе Аrсhitесturе Introduction According to Hays (2009), Japan architecture has a long history of evolution starting way back about 57 BC. Just like its art as well as culture, Japanese’s architecture’s history has been extensively and precisely documented. Pre-historic evidence still exists in Japan particularly in the forms of terra-cotta houses as pit houses. Japanese Neolithic tribe commonly referred to as Jomon was highly related to the terra-cotta and the pit houses. Over time, Japanese architecture has been influenced and shaped by the foreign world where foreign designs are borrowed. Predominantly, Korea, China and the West architectural designs and innovations have been adopted by the Japanese and as such their architecture can be said to be in an aggregates or an amalgamate of various world designs. Therefore, this paper intends to discuss the various Chinese and Korean example architectural designs and innovations that have shaped Japanese architecture. Over the years, Japan architecture has been influenced by many factors including the world’s architectural innovations, the Japanese culture as well as the geographical positions where earthquakes and typhoons are frequent. Climate also affects architecture where houses have to be built considering climatic conditions. Among the many influences, china’s and Korean influence makes the largest portion of influence. Interaction of Japan with foreign nations particularly China and Korea influenced the development of architectural design. According to Hay (2010), Japan architecture was dominated by wood and single structures. Japan and China Among other factors trade and immigration of people to and from China made Japan citizens to interact with Chinese civilization. Consequently, Japanese adopted various Chinese civilization aspects including Chinese writing characters as well as their language. Consequently, students, as well as scholars who could converse fluently in Chinese, were taken to China for further learning hence creating a better avenue for transmission of Chinese culture and civilization to Japan. In this regard, Japanese student transferred the architectural knowledge they learned to their nation hence revolutionalising the Japanese culture in return. Equally, Buddhist religion leads to the transmission of Chinese culture to the Japan particularly at the middle of the 6th century. By the 6th century, Buddhism had taken roots in China. The powerful Buddhist monk were at the central of its spread and as such it spread to both Korea and Japan Young & Young, (2007). In the middle of 16th century according to Young & Young (2007), Korean monarch sent Buddhist images as well as scriptures to the ruler of Japan and advised him to adopt the religion as well. Consequently, the religion was adopted although after a lot of challenges and in this case Buddhism became the official religion along with Shanto the original religion. Buddhism led to the propagation of China’s architectural culture especially after Asuka period where temples were built in Chinese architectural design. For instance Horyuki temple that was registered as UNESCO world heritage property had been built using China architectural design (Hays, 2009). Additionally Buddhist architecture stimulated the development of shrines architecture where buildings retained a typical wooden single story status. Wood was widely utilized for building the common single story structures and in most cases the painting that was done mostly reflected china’s architectural designs. China’s culture is equally evident among the Japanese city where Chinese city planning becomes evident at a glance. For instance, the cities of Kyoto and Nara have utilized the principle hence making them resemble Chinese cities. Later, during the Nara period Japan people imitated the Chinese capital by planning Heijokyo one of the capital cities similar to the china’s capital city. Indeed, a check board pattern for the streets similar to that of Chinese capital was included. (Hays, 2009) In Chinese architecture, no complete design was complete without a garden or overlooking one. Many architectural designs had the main building overlooking a garden to the south, and most of the Japanese architectures did not hesitate to adopt such ideas. Indeed, the cities for instance Kyoto had irrigation ends that the Chinese city models provided. The Chinese architectural designs were not only represented in cities and temples, but also represented by castles and tea rooms. In the sixteenth century many castles that reflected Chinese culture were built in the era of feudal lords. While the castles were constructed for defense purposes, the Lords utilized them for enhancement of their prestige through making them their residence. Tea houses where tea ceremonies were performed by the nobles also started being built in the wake of Kamukura and Muromachi eras. The tea houses, as well as the castles, were built manifesting the different architectural designs of China. (Young, Young & Yew, 2012) Many ideas were transferred from Korea to Japan through a remarkable root called the Korean peninsula. The Korean peninsula was the cultural bridge or the gateway to Japan, and it ideally opened it to the world. The peninsula facilitated mobility of such culture aspects as philosophy, religion, and architectural designs among others from China, Korea, Asian and the Western world. Consequently, a more complex and intricate culture developed and Japan now makes a unique nation with a unique culture. (Young, Young & Yew, 2012) Korean and Japan Just like other aspects of culture, Japanese architectural culture was highly influenced by Korean culture and as such it has some aspects of Korean civilization in it. The remarkable influence can be traced back from the entry of Buddhism into Japan from Korea through the Korean peninsula (MYERS, 2010). Development of Buddhism alongside Shanto the original religion in Japan leads to the development of temples that reflected the Korean architectural designs. Buddhist Monks and noble people like the kings, princes and craftsmen were fundamental to the enhancement of Japanese architecture. The noble individual under the advice of monks would fund the building of buildings and designs which reflected the Korean architecture. Craftsmen from Baekje kingdom in Korea became central to the development as they constructed the building skillfully employing the Korean architectural design. Indeed, the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan commonly called Asuka-Dera manifests Korean architecture. Craftsmen who originated from the ancient Baekje, the Korean kingdom, constructed the temple. Equally shitenno-ji which is one of the great traditional temples in Japan was modeled on the various types of ancient Korean temples. Gradually, temple and shrines mushroomed in Japan hence making the Korean architecture dominant. Further, palaces and remarkable buildings adopted Korean architectural designs. For instance Prince, Shotoku constructed his palace based on Korean architecture, and it had tiled roofs making it the first building to utilized tiles on the roof in the entire Japan nation. In closer proximity to the Palace Prince, Shotoku also built a temple where Buddhist monks, craftsmen, and designers built it. In the compound of the temple, dormitories that housed monks, medicine men and other specialized groups of people were built, and they all utilized Korean architectural designs. Although the first temple burned later, a similar one was built using Baekje architecture that represented the Korean architectural design. Indeed, its wooden pagoda, as well as the gilt bronze pagoda, reflected exactly the 7th-century Korean architecture. Progressively the borrowed architectural designs of the temples particularly were continually altered to fit the dynamic world of architecture. According to Hay (2009), the initial Buddhist temples followed cosmological principles. The principles demanded the utilization of a strict and symmetrical temple compound layout. Further, the temple compound was to be surrounded by a perimeter wall and an official gateway constructed. Additionally the early Buddhist temples were both multifaceted and ornamental. Commonly, the temples, as well as other buildings, were mostly built on elevated grounds, and strong pillar usually supported the excessively tiled roof. The roof had a system of brackets whose main function was to the heavy and wide overhang white plastered walls filled the spaces in between posts while interior walls beautifully decorated. Additionally, a magnificent alters incorporated in the temple, and it was widely regarded then (Young & Young, 2007 Pp 6-7). Conclusion Japan architecture has a complex and intricate culture mostly influenced by foreign cultures particularly by China and Korea in its juvenile ages that is before world war one. Traditionally Japan architecture was dominated by wooden designs as well as painting. Additionally Single-story buildings dominated the housing construction until the wake of western influence when many story buildings started mushrooming. China's architecture was reflected in shrines and temples started during entry of Buddhist religion. Trade-induced interaction, as well as academic interaction, also facilitated the transfer of china’s architectural knowledge and skills to Japan. Equally, Japanese cities were planned by the principle of the china’s architectural designs. A closer look at the tea houses and castles that were dominant among the nobles, one could easily point out china’s architecture. Moreover, just like China Korea architecture influence Japan architecture where Japanese adopted it in building temples and palaces. Korean craftsmen became central to the adoption since were involved the in the building of the various buildings including the palaces, temples, and shrines. Evidently, China and Korea who are the immediate neighbors of Japan had a profound influence in its shaping architectural design and as such leaving a mark forever. References Hays J., 2009, “Japanese Architecture: Wood, Earthquakes, Tea Rooms and Traditional Homes” Facts and Details, retrieved on 2nd October 2015 from http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat20/sub129/item687.html MYERS, B., 2010, The cleanest race how North Koreans see themselves and why it matters. Brooklyn, N.Y., Melville House. http://www.contentreserve.com/TitleInfo.asp?ID={DD8354C5-3EB1-43A3-92B3- 7851EC962A88}&Format=410.. Suzuki H., 2007, “Architecture,” Creative Japan, retrieved on 2nd October, 2015 from http://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/creativejapan/architecture/ Young, D. E., & Young, M., 2007, The art of Japanese architecture. Tokyo, Tuttle Pub. YOUNG, M., YOUNG, D., & YEW, T. H. (2012). Introduction to Japanese Architecture. Singapore, Tuttle Pub. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=1048672. Read More