BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE

Architecture in Japan with Buddhist influences came from Korea and China in the 6th century.  Temples were built for those dedicated to worshipping Buddha, and within each compound there were several buildings for the purpose of housing monks or nuns.  By the eight century, each compound basically consisted of seven buildings: the pagoda, main hall, lecture hall, bell tower, repository for sutras, dormitory, and dining hall.  Surrounding the compound was a wall made from earth that had gates on each side.

The main hall in the compound held the most prominent object of worship, with the lecture hall being used by monks for study, instruction or for rituals.  In early temples, the lecture hall was usually the largest building.   There were two predominate tower styles; one in which canonical writings were stored and the other that was used to announce the time of religious observance every day.  It was common, in Buddhism's early days, for pagodas to be in the middle of the compound.  The pagodas held sacred relics, and these were the main objects of worship.

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SHINTO ARCHITECTURE



Itsukushma Shrine

Shintoism is the belief that a kami (deity) lives in practically every natural object ranging from volcanoes and mountains, to waterfalls, rocks and trees. These kami are kept in Shinto shrines and are where people can worship.  The shrines don't have a particular way they are put together - it depends on the environment.  A path or roadway lined with stone lanterns takes the worshipper from the  torii gate to the shrine.  It is important to Shintoists to maintain the shrines purity, so worshippers was their hands and mouths.  The shrines have guardians as well, pairs of lion-like statues called komainu that are placed in front of the main halls or the gates.

Two major styles for the main hall consist of a temporary main hall and one that has a simple shape derived from the granaries and storehouses of ancient Japan.  The temporary main hall is one that was built for special occasions to house the kami.  An example of this type of temporary structure is the Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka.  An example of one with a simple shape, is the Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture.  The sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami, has it's own consecrated area in the inner shrine and the grain goddess, Toyouki no Omikami dedicated to the outer shrine.

Reconstruction of shrine buildings was a tradition meant to purify the shrine site and renew the materials.   With this in mind, as well as help from fires and other natural disasters, it explains why the oldest main Shinto shrine buildings go back to only the 11th and 12th centuries.

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DESIGN CONCEPT

Initially, Japanese houses didn't have screens to separate rooms, they were just open rooms with little or no privacy.  After people began distinguishing rooms with particular functions (eating, sleeping, cooking), the use of screens to partition and separate rooms became popular.  These screens are unlike the ones used now in the Western world on our windows, they were self-standing (byobu) and permitted limited privacy for dressing and sleeping.  After this came the paper-covered sliding doors called shoji or fusuma, which are still found in traditional homes.  These doors allow light to come through and give more privacy, but don't offer much by way of soundproofing a room.  A nice attribute of these doors, for those who like the open areas, is that they can be removed to open up the space.

Traditional designs tend to think of the inside and outside of a house as a continuous element, not two separate environments.  This can be seen in the Japanese veranda (engawa) which is essentially a transitional space for going in or out of the house.  These houses were also designed for people to be sitting.  The doors, windows and alcoves are situated for the most advantageous viewing of the gardens or artwork, in a seated position.

In spite of modernization, Japanese traditions have not been eradicated.  As with most Asian countries, removal of the shoes before entering a house is customary and in even Westernized homes, a room can be found with a tatami (Japanese mat) covering it.

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MODERN ARCHITECTURE

The Meiji Restoration in 1868 introduced modern architectural techniques to Japan, but there was a reversal in this trend in the 1880's with an outcry for more Asian models.  Change was reiterated after World War I, when architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Bruno Taut came to Japan, a reassessment of traditional Japanese architecture took place.  Continuing after World War II, there were efforts to unite traditional and modern architecture.  An example of this is the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo, designed by Tange Kenzo.  Kenzo is considered one of Japan's most famous and influential architects after the war.  He blended traditional architecture with advances scientifically and technologically.

One of the biggest problems, architecturally, is the frequency of earthquakes in Japan.  Building earthquake resistant structures is a constant challenge, but one they are apparently overcoming.  Using the latest earthquake technology at the time they built their first skyscraper in 1968, the Kasumigaseki Building. After this successful feat, other skyscrapers soon followed.

The 1970's was a period in which architects focused less on technical expertise and more on the artistic approach.  There was also a shift away from unmitigated commercialism in architectural priorities as well.

When the bubble economy collapsed in the 90's, there was a decrease in demand for architectural expertise.  Fortunately during the 80's many Japanese architects were sought after by other countries, which carried through to the 90's.  Of all the architects, Ando Tadao has been the most popular and widely accepted.  He has received many prizes internationally including the Pritzker Architecture Prize (by the Hyatt Foundation) and the Royal Gold Medal for architecture (Royal Institute of British Architects).

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Information provided by the Japanese Embassy