Japanese Architecture

I have found Japanese architecture very interesting to research in this weeks blog as it differs in many ways to that of European architecture that i have been previously looking at…

Japanese structures are traditionally built for the summer and therefore are very open and lack a sense of ‘security’. They typically may feature transparent, sliding doors as the main access into the house. The Japanese share spaces such as gardens with their neighbours. Traditionally, structures are built from wood and elevated off the ground with tiled/ thatched roofs.

Spaces are extremely functional, for example walls can be partitioned by grooves in the floor to slide and allow easy change to the layout and therefore use of the space. This a clever use of material as it can create different environments in summer or winter depending on how the partitions are arranged, somewhat acting as ‘clothes’ for the house. The word ‘shoji’ is a term to describe the partitions between rooms. This can make the living quite discomforting in the winter as in Europe, people heat the houses however in Japan its the person that is heated. Today, sliding doors are mainly made of paper squares glued on wooden lattice to allow soft light to pass.

‘Tatami’ are mats used as a flooring material and are used to cover the floors of rooms in Japanese houses. These mats long ago were a luxury and were only in areas people would sit. However, tatami mats are now used to cover entire rooms across the house. The mats can be arranged in different ways. In rooms with tatami mats, chairs are not used, and in the winter the Japanese use a heated table called ‘kotatsu’ and sit on the floor at this lowered table which is now electronically heated and covered with a futon to keep the heat in.

History of residential architecture:

Dwellings of aristocracy 

Commoners dwelling

The theme of simplicity and modesty:

Purification of the heart from the impurities of the outside world (Buddhist spirit)

The theme of lavish decoration and visual entertainment (theatrical space for display of status)(Confucian respect of social hierarchy)

Brief history of residential architectural styles:

1. Houses of Jomon and Yayoi period
2. Shinden style of Heian aristocracy
3. Medieval Samurai houses
4. Shoin style of Muromachi period
5. Sukiya style as a relaxed variation of Shoin
6. Minka - dwellings of the common people

Houses of Jomon and Yayoi period - 

• Jomon (10,000 years ago) A pit dwelling which was rectangular or circular covered with a steep thatched roof.
• Yayoi period (200BC-250AD) A a pit dwelling with an elevated storehouse.

Shinden style of Heian aristocracy - 

Different residential volumes spread across a large distance within a garden, connected by covered corridors. Inspired from Chinese architecture.

Medieval Samurai houses - 

Powerful medieval warriors patterned their homes and many customs after those of the descendants of the Heian period aristocrats. 

Major changes included - spatial division according to function, fixed partitions between public and private spaces and separate structures for different purposes.

Shoin style of Muromachi period - 

Developed in Muromachi (1338-1573) out of Shinden mode. 

Main characteristics:

- ‘Tokonoma’ (decorative alcove)

- ‘Chigaidana’ (staggered shelves)

- Tsukeshoin’ (built in desk)

- ‘Chodaigamae’ (decorative doors)

Sukiya style as a relaxed yet elegant variation of Shoin - 

- Intimacy and caprice

- Related to tea ceremony

Mental discipline, physical control, aesthetic sensibility

Main characteristics:

- Understatement and irregularity 

- Elegant details 

- Eccentric reinterpretations of formal Shoin plan

- Geometrical patterns

- organic connection between building and place

I have found it interesting to find out how the culture and functions of Japanese architecture have been formed throughout the centuries and i admire how even today, Japanese architecture is still relatively traditional although with slight clever modern day adaptations.