Modern, as well as ancient, Japanese architecture demonstrates the uniqueness and phenomenality of this state, which originates from ancient times. Over the past decade, architects of the Land of the Rising Sun have become laureates of the Pritzker Prize, which is considered the most prestigious in this area. This allowed Japanese art to transform from an exotic oriental school into a phenomenon that sets fashion trends in world architecture.
History of Japanese Architecture
The main feature of the architecture of ancient Japan is the construction of structures made entirely of wood, having a bulky massive roof and light, fragile walls. This is due to the humid and warm climate of the islands, on which quite abundant rainfall often spills, as well as periodic earthquakes.
Temple buildings in Japan are divided into 2 types according to religious grounds: Shinto and Buddhist. Structurally, these buildings were erected under the influence of Chinese traditions, but adapted to local culture.
The main features of the ancient architecture of Japan:
- The main material is wood, which is rich in local territories. Thanks to it, the buildings withstand all the vagaries of nature, are easily disassembled and transferred to another place.
- Strong gable roofs that withstand heavy torrential rains and curved cornices were built under the influence of Chinese architects, but they are more elegant.
- All buildings fit perfectly into the landscape, temples are most often located in the park or raised above the water on stilts.
- Ancient architects did not erect individual objects, but entire complexes.
An example of such a building can be any religious building, consisting not only of their main temple, but also of the main gate (thorium), a treasury, a library, a multi-tiered pagoda and a temple for sermons.
Architecture of the Middle Ages
As the Buddhist religion penetrated, Japanese city ​​planners were inspired by the experience of planning and building cities in China. Already in the 8th century, in the cities of Kyoto and Nara, the streets were laid parallel and perpendicular to each other. The emperor’s palace always remained the center, and the palaces of the rich and noble inhabitants, government buildings were built symmetrically and were located in the direction from north to south.
The houses of aristocrats and aristocracy were distinguished by their splendor and monumentality. These palaces now demonstrate traditional Japanese architectural forms and details, dominating the surrounding landscape. You can verify this by looking at the photos attached to the article.
A characteristic feature of the architecture of medieval Japan is the longline style, which was used in cult and secular urban planning. Zen style reached its peak in the 14th century, when several pavilions and other structures decorated with gilded roofs were built. During their construction, stone was widely used, from which ten-syu towers and other buildings were erected.
Japanese temple architecture
The heyday of secular and religious architecture in Japan occurred in the 13-14 centuries, when the Golden and Silver Pavilions, the Kiyomizu Temple, Nijo Castle, etc. were built.
With the advent of the rising sun of Buddhism, another construction technique has spread. The foundation of the temple was no longer wooden piles, but a stone foundation. Religious complexes in Japan also served as monasteries in which monks lived and studied. By tradition, the temple should merge with the surrounding park, with tall and straight trunks of surrounding trees. Inside its center is a "rock garden", designed for reflection and concentration.
The most famous ancient temples of Japan: Shinto Ise and Izumo, the Buddhist complex of Horji (Nara), the ensemble of Todaiji. The latter is the largest wooden structure in the world, reaching a height of 48 m, equal to a modern 16-storey building. It has a base measuring 60 x 55 m and is the "earthly home" of the giant Daibutsu (Big Buddha).
Common Features of Chinese and Japanese Architecture
Despite the external influence, the architecture of the countries of the East has always remained traditional and almost unchanged for many centuries, starting from the pre-class era of the development of society. The main form of buildings in the architecture of China and Japan is a pavilion house, covered with a roof soaring above the building with ends bent up.
The internal space of the house is a continuation of the natural environment, creating a general composition with an external bypass (porch). The layered roof and sculptural decor (dragons and other figures) are closely connected by movement with the surrounding trees in the garden and foliage on them. The exterior of Chinese and Japanese buildings has always been vibrant and colorful.
The garden near the house is an indispensable attribute of the architecture of the countries of the East, an intermediate link between nature and the pavilion. It is dominated by curves and winding lines of coasts, stone passages and groups of trees.
Japanese national gardens (shindes) have a smaller area, they often use the symbolism of the location of rough stones that depict animals, and the soil in them must be covered with moss, but not grass.
Japanese garden and tea house
Garden art reached its peak in Japan at the end of the 15th century, and such a territory always belonged to a Buddhist temple located in the mountains. Cleanliness and simplicity, silence and self-deepening, elevation over everyday affairs - these are the main features of the Japanese Sinden. In the middle of the garden is a house designed for ritual tea drinking.
Tea houses, or chashitsu, are the national architectural heritage of Japan and the main attribute of the ceremony of the same name, which traditionally reflects "severe simplicity" and "spirit of reconciliation." The history of their construction dates back to the 15th century, but then it was the poor huts of the local sages, and therefore they looked more simple and modest. Ornaments served only flower bouquets, old paintings and scrolls with philosophical sayings.
In total, in the architecture of Japan you can count more than 100 types of tea houses, both poor and richer, resembling fabulous painted caskets. Around such a structure is usually a beautiful garden, which is necessary to create an atmosphere of inner harmony and peace. At the entrance, a low door was made so that one could enter only by kneeling. The internal interior reflects the national character and aesthetic Japanese laws, where an important place is given to a niche, in which lies a scroll for discussion during the ceremony.
Residential buildings
Residential houses on the Japanese islands have always been built on 1-2 floors and had a simple shape, and they always put them on the south facade. Inside, sliding partitions and windows were used, a certain ratio of rooms in the interior was maintained. In the middle of the house there was always a courtyard surrounded by high walls.
On the gable reed roof, protruding cornices were made with a ridge at the top, which was carried out in local traditions. In front of the house, a covered porch was built, similar to a veranda. A small additional part of the roof (Hisashi) protruded from under the cornice in this place. The entrance was indicated by movable screens (shoji) separating the veranda from the interior.
Instead of glass, matte paper was inserted into the windows according to the tradition, transmitting muffled light, binding was made of bamboo or wood. Internal screens were made with a binding of thin wooden stripes and decorated more vividly. All rooms were connected to each other, but could be separated using sliding screens. In the interior, there was traditionally almost no furniture.
19th Century City Residential Buildings already very different from small apartments, located under a large common roof and having separate entrances. In the construction of modern residential buildings in Japan, wooden structures and partition systems are often still used.
Modern Japan Architecture: A Brief Summary
The National School of Architecture in Japan is considered a novice in the global architectural process and has existed for just over 100 years. For the first time, she declared herself during the construction of the Eegi Olympic Stadium (architect K. Tange, 1964), which was built for sports.
The modern architecture of Japan has both distinctive and international features, attracting more and more attention of specialists all over the world. There are three main directions:
- the first includes all the star architects already recognized throughout the world: T. Ando, ​​K. Kuma, T. Ito, S. Ban;
- the second - architects known only in highly specialized circles: T. Nishizawa, S. Fujimoto, employees of the Bau-Wau studio;
- young beginner architects.
Japanese architects who have gained popularity are engaged in the construction of objects in Europe, China, Australia, Africa and Asia. The main features of their style: harmonious interaction of internal and external spaces with the use of the properties and characteristics of natural materials.
Japanese architects and their work
Wood and paper are still the main building materials used in the contemporary art of Japanese architecture. More than 50% of all residential buildings are built on the basis of wood structures. The leading specialist in this field is considered to be Kango Kuma, winner of several awards in the field of architecture. His work (the console of the Museum of the Wooden Bridge or the Sani Hills Pavilion in Tokyo) demonstrates the high skill of using wooden structures to decorate the space.
Another woodworker is Taira Nishizawa. Known as the creator of the lattice in the Tomoti gym, the building of the Sunn Pu Church, whose roof consists of raw chips in the form of a multilayer surface.
One of the famous representatives of modern Japanese architecture is Ban, which creates unique paper structures using one of the oldest national building materials, the cheapest and most environmentally friendly.
The more modern materials (reinforced concrete, glass and plastic) are used in the art by architect Toyo Ito, who built the Torres Porta Fira building (Barcelona, ​​Spain), the Tama University library (Tokyo) and the Media Library in Sendai (Japan).
Conclusion
The task of modern Japanese architecture, according to the famous architect Tire Nishizawa, is to create unique forms and designs so that the building, people and the environment are in a harmonious ratio. All architects of the Land of the Rising Sun in the 21st century are striving to achieve this goal.