History of Japanese Architecture - Essay Example

History of Japanese Architecture Introduction The uniqueness of Japanese architecture dates back to 57 BC. The traditional Japanese architecture is characterized by the utilization of wood that symbolizes the nation’s architectural designs. Most of the Japanese architecture was under the influence of the Koreans. Buildings got essentially made from wood and stone, but the most significant construction material constituted timber because the volcanic nature of the country’s islands has hindered mining of suitable building stones. The most significant buildings that signified the Japanese architecture included shrines and temples. According to David young and & Young Michiko in their book “Introduction to Japanese Architecture”, 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 the 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, therefore, cited as a major contributor in enhancement of Japanese architecture as noted by building of temples (Young & Young, 2004). Periods in the architectural developments Japanese history of architecture went through numerous periods of innovation. The beginning of the 7th century became mostly dominated by wooden structures noted by temples and shrines built by the noblemen. This period in history referred to Nara and Asuka periods of architecture. They were also periods that marked heightened growth of Japanese art and culture. In the 9th century, referred to as the Heian period was essentially 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. According to Charles Jencks in his book “Modern Movements in Architecture”, this era got closely followed by the Muromachi and Kamakura eras that got characterized by simplicity in design. The basic 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, pg. 37). 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. Features of the Japanese Architecture Japanese architecture was unique from the Western architecture partly due to the kinds of materials used and 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 significant boom 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. 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. Sliding doors referred to as Fusuma got 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. 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 got designed, most of them 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. Weight of the roofs such as those in shrines and temples got adequately supported by brackets columns known as Tokyo. In case of constructing domestic houses, architects adopted simpler solutions. The oversize eaves offer the interior of the building a unique feature of dimness that specially contributes to the building atmosphere. The interior usually consists of just a single room known as Moya, and from it, other less significant spaces can be modeled. The compartments of the inner space are fluid hence modification of the room size can be constructed 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 appear 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 part and parcel of the environment. Hence care is taken to make sure that a building blends with the natural environment like five-story pagoda. 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 compete with other developed nations. Buildings in Los Angeles that feature Japanese Architectural designs Bradbury Building Bradbury Building in Los Angeles, commissioned by Lewis L. Bradbury (1823-1892) after which the building got its name from. It has predominant features of Japanese architecture. It is characterized by wooden structures. These structures relate to Japanese architecture in that it uses wood as construction material and also bricks and cast iron in roofing. Its structural type is truss model. Japanese buildings such as shrines and temples are made out of wood. Japanese architecture avoided the use of stone as a building material. The interior of the house has emptiness of space which comprise of a single space from which other partitions are created. There is beauty in the emptiness of this building as it connects to the environment. In Japanese architecture, the interior consisted of a single room (emptiness of space) which could be modeled into smaller spaces just like in Bradbury building. Some times the walls could be confiscated or even subdivided when necessary. Tsujita Sawtelle restaurant Tsujita Sawtelle restaurant in Los Angeles is a building where the architect depicts the natural environmental touch by making the roof have cloudy look (pagoda). The color and design the architect use has a connection with the environment. This relates to Japanese architecture in that Japanese architect designed buildings that when someone is inside sees that the building is part of the outside world. This effect gets emphasized by use of thin walls during its construction. This restaurant constitutes of a main hall where rooms are amalgamated to create substantial space for customers just like in Japanese architecture which is emptiness of space. Walt Disney Concert Hall Walt Disney Concert hall was designed by Frank Gehry. It is a perfect example of how thin walls structure and building design correlates with the outside environment. This relationship between the building and environment portrays beauty and creativity. The architect uses irregular geometric shapes to increase the building size. This gets seen when someone gives the building a close look from bottom up. Stainless steel material makes the exterior parts of this hall. The architectural design of this building relates to Japanese architecture in that its verandas and design appear as part and parcel of the environment. Like the five story pagoda in Japanese architecture a lot of care is taken to ensure the building blends with natural environment. according to Ching, Jarzombek, Prakash and Vikramin their book “Global History of Architecture”, Bradbury building and Walt Destiny concert hall, modern 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, 2006). Bradbury building The street view of Bradbury building in Los Angeles shows how the modern features have been incorporated to Japanese architecture to give it a modernized look. The building material of this building creates the illusion that it is made if wood (material). Wood is a predominant feature in Japanese architecture and not only that it is made of one enormous building that is subdivided into smaller sections(structure). Japanese architecture used wood because the volcanic nature of the country’s islands has hindered mining of suitable building stones. The subdivision of the building posses Japanese architectural designs and techniques. In Japanese architecture room are divided or modeled into smaller spaces (emptiness of space). L-House in LA This house is Japanese inspired. This is a family house whose architectural design comprised of traditional and modern Japanese thinking. Japanese environment relationship is incorporated on the outside and inside of the house. The beauty of the house is due to the ample space (vastness of space) incorporated in it. Japanese architecture uses sliding doors (fusuma), structure, and this has been used in this house enabling it to configure the space to make it suitable for a variety of activities. In Japanese architecture, the interior consisted of a single room (emptiness of space) which could be modeled into smaller spaces just like in this building. The building is also made partly of wood (building material), a feature that is predominant in Japanese architecture. Many buildings in Los Angeles are Japanese inspired. Many aspects of Japanese architecture have been incorporated such as use of wood, creation of buildings with large spaces, thin walls and sliding doors. This shows that Japanese architecture has a large influence to the architectural world. Its features and characteristics have been used continuously all over the world. 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 to express the unique Japanese styles. Architects who trained abroad in the developed world were compelled to fuse the international and traditional Chinese designs. This was to preserve culture and signify modernism. All in all, the development of the Japanese architecture can mostly be attributed to the Chinese as well as other regional architectural styles. 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