History of Japanese Architecture - Research Paper Example

History of Japanese Architecture Introduction The uniqueness of Japanese architecture s back to 57 BC. The traditional Japanese architecture is characterized by the utilization of wood that symbolizes the nation’s architectural designs. Japanese architecture has the certain aspects of the Chinese and Korean architecture as Japanese architecture was evolved from the Chinese and Korean architectural designs. The major aspects of the Japanese architecture are the utilization of the wood and stones. As the major portion of the country is influences by the cyclones that came ones or twice a year, the posts are often made with the wood while the roof or the building was covered with stone tiles that made the roof heavy and protect the building from the heavy winds and cyclones. In this way, the architectural techniques were adopted not only to make the building attractive but also durable. The most significant buildings that signified the Japanese architecture included shrines and temples. Unlike some Chinese and Western architecture, the Japanese architecture tries to avoid the use of stone unless deemed necessary for specific purposes as noted in the temple of pagoda and podia foundations. The structural layout includes lintels and posts. The style of building the shrines also contributed to the construction style for domestic and urban architecture characterized by the nature of the building materials and the design of the tower. Buddhism is therefore cited as a major contributor in enhancement of Japanese architecture as noted by building of temples (Young & Young 1-28). In the Japanese structures Sliding doors were utilized to maintain no hurdle and to keep the inner space wide open. Little or even no furniture was placed inside the rooms to make the inner space open. Periods in the architectural developments Considering Japanese history of architecture, the Japanese architecture went through numerous periods of innovation. The beginning of the 7th century was mostly dominated by wooden structures noted by temples and shrines built by the noblemen. This period in history is referred to as Nara and Asuka periods of architecture. They were also periods that marked heightened growth of Japanese art and culture. In the 9th century, which was referred to as the Heian period was basically a continuation of the architectural developments in the previous periods. It also marked a period of the beginning of the Chinese influence as one of the formidable architectural forces as Japanese architects of the time travelled and studied Chinese design. Thereafter, wood temples started to spring up in large numbers, together with other styles that were totally new, and yet a reminder of the old order. This era was closely followed by the Muromachi and Kamakura eras that were characterized by simplicity in design. The simple designs were a perfect reflection of the fact that the Japanese had graduated to the leadership of Samurai, the warrior class. The most notable development characterizing the era was the design and construction of the tea house which was a vital landmark of life in abundance during the era and the period after (Jencks 34-39). During the 17th century Japan also known as Azuchi-Momoyama period, construction of castles began, which were uniquely different from the European castles during the medieval period. They were fundamentally built in styles that resembled shrines with wooden structures and out cropping roofs. They were purposely built to provide accommodation to feudal lords as well as their soldiers, while at the same time retaining their elegance. As the nation of Japan was transitioning into the modern era, there was an overwhelming use of wooden materials. A radical change in the Japanese architecture was seen in the 18th century during the Meiji Restoration. During this period, Buddhism disconnected from Shinto and thus the Buddhist temples separated from the Shinto Shrines, which consequently broke the architectural bond between the two. In this way, the Japanese architectural designs changed due to the separation between the Buddhism and Shinto, which were made due to collaboration between the Buddhism and Shinto. After the Second World War, westernization in the architectural designs changed the ancient architectural designs and methods. Some of the Japanese structures are known as the most technological and modern structures that includes all the features of a modern structure. Features of the Japanese Architecture Japanese architecture was very unique from the Western architecture partly due to the kinds of materials used and the styles of creating the buildings. It is not possible to sight the elegant temples and shrines in the western world for in Japan they formed a strong architectural brand for homes and castles. Although mostly influenced by Chinese and Korean architects, the Japanese architects were able to take things in a convincingly new dimension owing to their over reliance on other materials apart from building stones. Religion also played a vital role in influencing the development of Japanese architecture. The uniqueness and beauty of the Japanese architecture has been a major benefit in terms of domestic and international tourism as many people flock the landmarks. In the 20th century after the end of Second World War, there was rapid modernization of the building industry as it witnessed the massive introduction and influence of architecture coming from the western world thus leading to construction of some buildings such as Tokyo Metropolitan state building. The period after the Second World War saw Japanese architects making a lot of impression on the global arena as the architectural works of people like Kenzo Tange made headlines. Japanese architecture has all along been characterized by elevated wooden structures off the ground having either thatched or tile roofs. Most of the structures are built by utilizing the local materials like the wood that is locally available like the bamboo. In the similar way, stones from the mountains that are locally available and the most common material dirt, clay or soil is utilized to make the floors or as a binder to make walls from the stone bricks. However, wood always attracted the ancient Japanese architects. In the most of the modern Japanese structures symbolizing the ancient architecture, wood is often not preferred, however, clay or soil brick are often utilized today to depict the ancient architecture. Sliding doors referred to as fusuma were commonly used as opposed to walls, thus enabling the internal configuration of a space that can then be customized to suit a variety of occasions. While, the inside walls of most of the ancient Japanese structure are paper thin that could easily be removed to make more space inside the room according to the situation. Paper walls were utilized to divide the structure into rooms. Some of the earliest architectural designs of Japanese were widely seen as stores and simple pit-houses that had adaptation to the people who were hunters and gatherers. The influence from China during Han Dynasty saw the introduction of new complex forms of grain stores as well as burial chambers. Japanese architecture demonstrated a lot of regional diversity. The presence of pantheistic religion impacted on the forms of architecture that were being designed thus most of them were aimed at enhancement of the natural landscape. In Japanese architecture, the roof constitutes the most impressive component of any building as it constitutes almost half the size of the entire edifice. As is the case, the curved eaves were designed to extend far beyond the building walls for the provision of a cover to the verandas. Due to this, the weight of the roofs such as those in shrines and temples were adequately supported by brackets columns known as tokyō. In case of constructing domestic houses, architects adopted simpler solutions. The oversize eaves offers the interior of the building a unique feature of dimness that specially contributes to the atmosphere of the building. The interior of the house usually consists of just a single room known as moya, and from its other less significant spaces can be modeled. The compartments of the inner space are fluid hence modification of the size of a room can be done using movable objects, most notably paper walls. The relatively large space constituting the main hall can be subdivided as the need arises. In fact some walls may be confiscated and rooms amalgamated to substantial space for guests. In every aspect of consideration, the verandas appears as part of the main building to a person on the outside and but to those inside the building it is part of the outside world. Japanese architecture is made to be part and parcel of the environment hence a lot of care is taken to ensure that a building blends with the natural environment like five-story pagoda. Some of the Japanese buildings have maintained the ancient architectural features such as thin walls as a result of the mild climate and slanted, overlapping and curved roofs because of plenty rainfall during summers (Ching, Jarzombek and Prakash 73-95). Religion played a greater role in the development of architecture in Japan. For example, the introduction of Buddhism in the country in the sixth century was a big boost for mass building of temples using sophisticated techniques in wood. Based on the influence from the Sui and T’ang Dynasties of China, the first permanent capital was founded in Nara. The street layout borrowed heavily from Changan, the Chinese capital as its design template. Owing to the fact that buildings were increasing in size, standard units of housing measurements were enforced in relation to layout and design. Japanese palaces often have a space outside the building but inside the walls of the palace. The place was often utilized by the emperor to address the people and to stand the guarding soldiers. Modest design was also emphasized as a result of the emergence of the tea party. In 1868, the architecture of Japan witnessed radical changes as a result of Meiji Restoration. This was in fact two fold, thus the first was the Separation Act of Kami and Buddhas of 1868 that eventually separated Buddhism from Buddhist and Shinto temples from Shinto shrines. This was a landmark separation that broke the association that has existed for hundreds of years between the two hence inflicting a lot of damage to the Japanese architecture. On the other hand, the period also marked intense Japanese Westernization so as to effectively compete with other developed nations. Culture, Weather and Modernism in Architecture Japanese Architecture is much influence by the culture and weather. Most of the people residing in Japan follow the Buddhism. Temples and shrines are made massive and big and in order to build such massive structures, the ancient architects must have to utilize such methods and materials that can stand in the harsh weather conditions as well as face the heavy winds, cyclones, heavy rains and earth quakes. Most of the transformations in the Japanese architecture are due to the rains or heavy winds, etc. Like the structure of the roof is made in a curved manner to protect the structure from the winds and the rains. The roofs of the structure are made heavy in order to protect the structure from the heavy winds. Modernization in the Japanese architecture not only changed the ancient designs but also the methods and the materials. The old materials come from the natural sources like wood, stone, clay, dirt and soil. However, the materials were changed according to the availability and durability. The significant features of the Japanese architecture are the curved roof, posts at some places and above ground level structures. At some place the modernization in the architecture is kept aside and modern structures are made utilizing the old designs, however, some modern techniques are utilized, like the utilization of the modern materials etc. The designs are typically utilized in making the temples and cultural presentations outside Japan, like restaurants presenting the Japanese food and promoting Japanese culture. Recognizable Japanese Structure outside Japan Koyasan Buddhist temple in Little Tokyo Los Angeles is a temple building in the Los Angeles. The structure is recognizable as the Japanese architecture. The major features of the temple are the curved roof and tiles above the roof but if the structure is closely noticed, it can be seen that the structure is different from the ancient Buddhist temples and Japanese structures as the curved roof structure is only followed at the front of the building. However, the doors also does not slide open and close. In this way, the modernization impacted the Japanese architecture and some of the methods utilized by the structure are the western construction techniques. The western influence on the structure can be well seen. Little Tokyo Watchtower in the Los Angeles depicts the Japanese Architecture. In the ancient times, these types of the watch towers were utilized to keep an eye on the enemies but in the Los Angeles, the structure is utilized as to depict the Japanese culture and heritage. In fact, the structure may have not utilized all the ancient technique and procedures. Conclusion Although styles of building and architects from the developed nations were brought to the country, the Japanese architects were indigenously taught and gained the skills necessary to express the unique Japanese styles. Architects who trained abroad in the developed world were compelled to fuse the international and traditional Japanese designs that preserve culture and at the same time signify modernism. All in all, the development of the Japanese architecture can mostly be attributed to the Chinese as well as Asian architectural styles. Japanese Architecture was always full and innovation and such designs that were able to face the harsh nature. Most of the structural elements are not only utilized for the beauty of the structure but also for making the structure more usable and durable. The most important feature of the Japanese Architecture is the roof of the structure that is curved from the middle and made pointed at the edges. Stone tiles and wood was utilized to cover the roof of the ancient Japanese structures. However, stone bricks are not commonly utilized in the structures. Stone is utilized in the structure like the Temples, Shrines, fortresses and palaces. The modern Japanese architecture can be recognized as the Japanese architecture due to the various features of the building. Like the Little Tokyo watch tower in the Los Angeles and the Koyasan Buddhist temple in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles depicts the Japanese architecture. In fact, both the structures adopted few western features and methods but still the structures can be recognizable as the Japanese designs. Works Cited Jencks, Charles, Modern Movements in Architecture. Penguin Books Ltd, 1993. Ching, Francis, Jarzombek, Mark and Prakash, Vikram, A Global History of Architecture, Wiley, 2006. Young, David & Young, Michiko. Introduction to Japanese Architecture, Japan: Tuttle Publishing 2004 Read More