JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

 Japan consists of several thousands of islands, of which Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and
Shikoku are the four largest. (Divided in four regions)
 Japan’s closest neighbors are Korea, Russia and China, (This would explain the neighboring
countries into culture, tradition and architecture)
 The Sea of Japan separates the Asian continent from the Japanese archipelago.
 There are many volcanoes in Japan because the country lies in an area where several
continental plates meet. (It is also part of ring of fire. Many rin hotsprings kaya ganon)
 A positive side effect is a large number of hot springs.
 The most famous volcano is Mt. Fuji, which is the highest point of Japan and one of the
most beautiful mountains in the world. It can be seen from Tokyo when the weather is clear.
Geology

 Japan lies in one of the most earthquake active regions of the world and this has had a
profound effect on building development. ( Due to numerous volcano in Japan they are
experiencing a lot of earthquake and by development since maraming earthquak kailangan
yung architecture ay earthquake resilient)
 Practically the whole of Japan is rugged hill country and some four-fifths of the entire area
are covered by forest and wild vegetation.
 The land however is one of great natural beauty.
 Scattered plains and inter-montane basins (in which the population is concentrated) cover
only about 25%

 Long coastlines vary in characteristics- rocky shores of saw-toothed coastline, sand hill
shores, and coral reef shores.

Wood
 Traditional structural materials came from coniferous trees such as cedar, pine, cypress and
fir. (Just like in China their main structural material is wood)
 Over 90% of the ancient Japanese islands were covered with forests.
CYPRESS (Main Structural Material)
 Resistant to moisture, strong, and has an attractive grain. Preferred wood for structural
members such as posts, beams, and flooring. (sanay siyang maging structural member)

Cedar (Sugi)
 Softer and damages easily but it has a more attractive grain and coloration. (ginagamit for
partitions; mas softer and madali icut)
 Cut easily, ideal for the construction of moveable interior partitions.
Deciduous TREES- oak and chestnut were used for furniture and fixtures.
MULBERRY PAPER- sliding paper shoji that forms a “movable wall”.

BAMBOO- wall lathing coated with a mixture of clay, sand and straw fibers , or with a variety
of hydrated lime made of LIMESTONES or oyster SHELLS.
Rice STRAW
Tatami mat- floor covering
STONE- mainly of volcanic origin:
Foundation work for posts and pillars or in polygonal form for the lower partition of walling.
 Granites and Porphyries
 Lime and Sandstone
CLAY- use extensively, not only for the entire castle wall (core to final coating) but also for
producing roof tiles.

Climate
 Cherry Blossom
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
 SHINTO, KAMI-NO-MICHI
 Indigenous religion which started around 660 BCE
 Way of the GODS (KAMI) with the sun as the most important god
 Mix of nature worship, fertility cults, divination techniques, hero worship (ancestors
and famous people), and shamanism.
 DAY TO DAY LIFE


 SUMO – Important ritual dance at the imperial court where a human is

said to wrestle with a kami.
 Before, it is a ritual being done for harvest and worshipping their gods but
now it is a sport.


 BUDDHISM- 6TH CENT A.D
  Pure Land Buddhism- follows Amida Buddha/ Dharmakara/Amitabha (different
god) , considered as godly and of infinite good, which focuses mainly on humility,
devotion, and charitable work rather than Personal enlightenment.
 ZEN BUDDHSM – Observe the Buddhist’s teachings in everyday life through the arts-
poetry, painting, calligraphy, and garden design.
 “One is supposed to be aware of emptiness in everything and its connections with
life”


 CHRISTIANITY – INTRODUCED IN 1549 by ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

 These is some of the periods that is influential in the development of Japan.
FEUDALISM- the dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands
from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles,
while the peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him
homage, labor, and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection.
 SAMURAI – the warriors /soldiers
 SHOGUN- was a Daimyo, or Samurai lord, who had been formally appointed by the graces
of the Emperor of Japan himself.
Clay roof styles re often use in combination wih copper roof
They use KEN as the unit of measurement.
- The purpose of having of steep roof is for the snow to fall down fast.