Simple Ancient Japanese Architecture
They include some of the world s oldest surviving wooden buildings as well as daring modern creations.
Simple ancient japanese architecture. Architecture seemed to conform to nature. The borders existing between structures and the natural world were deliberately obscure. Also known as hoko ji temple or. Japanese architecture 日本建築 nihon kenchiku has been typified by wooden structures elevated slightly off the ground with tiled or thatched roofs.
Union with the natural was also an element of japanese architecture. Common features in traditional japanese architecture. As mentioned wood has traditionally been the preferred building material in japanese architecture. Traditional japanese architecture can be characterized by the extensive use of wood master craftsmanship and elegant simplicity.
This is evident in the focus on natural light in old houses as well as the use of wood in its raw form. Sliding doors were used in place of walls allowing the internal configuration of a space to be customized for different occasions people usually sat on cushions or otherwise on the floor traditionally. In many of the older japanese. The symmetry of chinese style temple plans gave way to asymmetrical layouts that followed the specific contours of hilly and mountainous topography.
Elements such as long verandas and multiple sliding panels offered constant vistas on nature although the nature was often carefully arranged and. The influence from the asian mainland was defining over many centuries until western styles were adopted from the late 1800s. Records show that temple carpenters and makers of buddhist images and artifacts were invited from paekche in 577. The construction of temples also began after the official introduction of buddhism to japan in 538.
However these distinct architectural ideas took time to emerge. Japanese architecture of ancient times during the asuka and nara periods japan adopted architectural techniques from china and the korean peninsula. It also comes through in the strategic design of houses to offer good views into the natural world and the change of seasons therein.