Japanese+Architecture

Japanese Architecture アーキテク チャー (建築) ~ ノア　、　　ブランドン　　、　レイ ~ - Traditional -

Japanese traditional architecture is famous for its regal curving and fluid design. It may be important to note that the majority of traditional architecture is not indigenous to Japan but rather adopted from China and various Asian cultures over the past centuries. The designs of many traditional buildings was heavily influenced by the religious eras as time passed, and many were intended to symbolise sacred auras or ideas. The inner space is flowing and lacks the sharp partitioning of most Western designs; room sizes are malleable and can be adjusted by the application of screens or movable paper walls. One of the main building styles in traditional Japanese is the architecture influenced by Shintoism. Originating as early as 400 BC, shrines were erected in order to pay homage to natural sights of beauty thought to attract //kami // （かみ）, or spirits, to certain areas. Thus, these shrines were praised as being forms of //yorishiro　 //（よりしろ） , or places capable of summoning spirits. Their designs were very down to earth and very much a part of their natural environment, in order to sustain the tranquility in the sites thereof. Features of Shinto shrines include things such as //torii //（とりい）//, //  or gates used to mark the entry into sacred areas, and //komainu　 //（こまいぬ）//, //  guardian lion dogs set out on the entrances and roofs of shrines. Sanctuaries were located inside and called //honden　 //（ほんでん）//, // <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> and were humble buildings used to encase the kami which would be represented by items such as mirrors or statues. These shrines were originally constructed to be only temporary and suited to particular purposes and spiritual events, but with the introduction of Buddhism these sites became more permanent and devoted to <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> lasting ideals. Hiroshima Castle (広島城), also known as Carp Castle, was a important seat of power in Western Japan in the late 16th century. The castle itself was constructed in 1589 under the reign of the feudal lord, Mori Terumoto. It stands five storeys tall with a moat surrounding the grounds. The town of Hiroshima was developed as a castle town, whereby the castle was both the physical center of the city and the source of its prosperity. Sadly, Hiroshima castle was later destroyed in the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima in 1945, but was later rebuilt in 1958 as a replica of the original that now serves the purpose of a museum.

Ise Grand Shrine, also known as Ise Jingu (伊勢神宮), is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Ise in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The Ise Jingu's two main shrines are Naikuu, and Gekuu, yet Ise Jingu is also comprised of many Shinto shrines that are centred around the two main shrines. The inner shrine, Naikuu, is located south of Ise City, and is dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu-Oomikami. The outer shrine, Gekuu, is located around six kilometres from Nekuu, and is dedicated to the worship of Toyouke no Ookami, the deity of agriculture and industry.

- Modern -



Modern Japanese architecture varies from simple yet elegant designs. The objective of many modern architects who design houses aim for every centimetre of the house to represent a box. The minimalist design is very popular in Japan. While the outsides may seem very simple, you'd expect the insides to be the same, although that is not always the case. Many architects look for the outside to be as simplistic as possible, yet the insides can be very elaborate. The idea of an open area in the roof is also quite popular, having a "sunroom" is not unknown in Canada, yet in Japan these areas aren't places to relax in, yet to display nature.



Not all houses and buildings are as simple as a box; while the boxy design may have a visible effect and be the main concept, subtle gestures and angles can change your viewpoint of a building quite quickly. Some houses are designed for certain areas to be open and visible to the world, yet other floors or areas can be quite private, lacking in windows, or having windows positioned in a way for minimal view into the house. The "Accordion House", as it is nicknamed, is an example of this. Looking straight onto this building makes it seem like a simple box, with an open bottom floor, yet move a few steps and you can start to see the accordion design, the zig-zagging walls on the sides of the building, and the back having beautiful, yet simple balconies, allowing maximum view of the surroundings. The elegant, and a little scary, spiral staircase travels throughout the house. Just looking at it makes me want to cry at the beauty of it.



The perforated walls are quite a hit in many homes as well. The option to allow natural light in the house without a large window allowing view into your house gives the perforated walls a huge benefit of privacy. Although there is generally glass between the walls and the inside of the home to protect it from the weather. The perforated walls are practiced in many different ways; this is an example of brick-like walls, while other homes offer circle openings, or seemingly random cuts out of the wall.



This is the K-Museum, designed by Makoto Sei Watanabe. This is a perfect example of the complexity of the amazing work that goes into designing a beautiful building such as this. While many homes relate to the simple, minimal designs, many museums, colleges, art galleries, and more, are as complex, if not more, than the K-Museum. Japanese architects devote endless hours into making awe-inspiring, yet safe, designs such as this. Buildings such as this are a tribute to the level of advancement and technical excellence that is infused into the execution of modern Japanese architecture, and can be a nod in the direction of the future - that if innovation continues to follow this path of exponential improvement, the level of ingenuity and function will only escalate with time.

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