BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE IN JAPAN 5001300 CE

1
BUDDHIST ARCHITECTURE IN JAPAN 500-1300 CE
2
(No Transcript)
3
(No Transcript)
4
Important Periods Asuka (540-640) Nara
(645-710) (710-784) Temple and building activity
in new city of Nara Heian (784-1185) Capital
moved from Nara Esoteric Buddhist sects
introduced Kamakura (1185-1333) Development of
Zen Buddhism Important religious
traditions Shintoism Mahayana Buddhism Zen
schools
5
Jomon Pottery
Yayoi Pottery
Prehistoric Cultures
6
Shinto shrine Animism, and shrines for the
kami, the special and sacred forces in nature.
7
Architectural language amplifying the vernacular
8
(No Transcript)
9
Dwelling of sun goddess. Ancestral shrine of
imperial family. Sacred storage of holy
mirror. Symbol of central pillar under
shrine. Two parallel sites, where shrine
structure is built, un-constructed and rebuilt
on one site every twenty years.
Ise Shrine, 1st century CE
10
Language derived from vernacular dwellings. Often
symmetrical. Raised above ground, old association
of grain storage building.
11
The Ise Shrine complex is the holiest structure
in Japan. The shrine is composed of  two
similar complexes. The earliest complex, said to
date from the third century, is called the Naiku,
or Inner Shrine. It is dedicated to the Sun
Goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Omikami is the
mythical ancestor of the Imperial family. She is
represented by the sacred mirror, one of the
three objects symbolic of the divine authority of
the imperial family. Building material from
roof to floors for both structures and finishing
comes entirely from Japanese white cypress,
Hinoki. The main building of the Inner Shrine is
designed in a special form of architectural
style, called shimmei-zukuri. This style is
prohibited for other shrines. It's simple
rectangular design is said to derive from the
granaries and treasure storehouses of prehistoric
Japan. Every twenty years the buildings at Ise
are torn down and new ones are built on an
immediately adjacent site. In this way the site
is purified and building materials renewed while
preserving the original design from the third and
fourth centuries. The new shrines, however
identical with the old ones, are not considered a
replica of Ise, but are Ise re-created. That
is, the recreation process reveals Shintos
understanding of nature which does not make
monuments, but lives and dies, always renewed
and reborn.
12
The Izumo Shrine, located in the town of
Taisha on the northwest coast facing Korea, is
believed to be the oldest shrine in Japan. The
Kojiki in the 8th century describes the mythic
origins of the shrine in the story of its chief
kami, Okuninushi no Mikoto. In this myth,
Okuninushi no Mikoto is developing the world of
mortal man when Ninigi no Mikoto (grandson of the
sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami) descends to earth.
Okuninushi no Mikoto gives over temporal rule of
the land to Ninigi no Mikoto in exchange for
control over divine affairs. The sun goddess was
so pleased by this gift to her grandson that she
had a shrine erected for Okuninshi no Mikoto on
the Izumo site. He is traditionally regarded as
the god of marriage, good fortune, and
agriculture.  The design of the present shrine
may date back to the first century. It has been
periodically rebuilt. The last honden built in
1744 is the twenty-fifth building since the
original. One of the main festivals held at
Izumo Shrine is Kamiari Matsuri (the gods being
present) in October. It is believed that at this
time gods throughout Japan come to Izumo to
discuss their respective kingdoms. For this
reason one ancient name for October in many parts
of Japan is Kanazuki,month without gods. 
During this festival small box-shaped housed are
placed in the shrine precincts to house the
visiting gods.  The architectural style,
taisha-zukuri, provides a different style from
the the flat roof and almost square shape of the
Ise Shrine. The Izumo Shrine is composed with two
levels of roof curves and a long narrow hall.
During the Nara period, when Buddhism was
popularized, changes were made to the design of
Izumo Shrine. The roof was made curved and the
Chinese style gable-end boards and ridge-end
ornament were added to the original structure.
Legend holds that the high-floor dwelling style
of the Izumo Shrine is meant to resemble the
shape of  the emperors palace.
13
(No Transcript)
14
Horyu-ji, Nara, 7th c.
15
Vocabulary Chumon, inner gate to temple -ji,
suffix for temple Kairo, covered
passageway Kondo, Buddha Hall in
temple-monastery Chaishitshu, tea-house
16
Axial layout Symmetrical arrangement Chinese
architectural features
17
Chumon, gateway
Bell tower
18
Kondo, Buddha Hall or Golden Hall
19
(No Transcript)
20
(No Transcript)
21
Kofukuji Pagoda, Nara
Yakushiji Pagoda, Nara
22
Todaiji, Nara, 8th c.
23
(No Transcript)
24
(No Transcript)
25
Buddha Hall
26
(No Transcript)
27
(No Transcript)
28
(No Transcript)
29
Bell Tower
30
(No Transcript)
31
Nandaimon Gate
32
(No Transcript)
33
Kenchoji Temple, Kamakura Zen tradition
34
(No Transcript)
35
(No Transcript)
36
Engakuji, Kamakura, 13th c. Main temple of the
Engakuji school of Rikai Zen School
37
Main Gate
Hondo (Main Hall)
38
The double axes System of pathways and
movement Location of buildings in the system
39
Main Hall, Engakuji
40

• The Zendo, Engakuji

41
(No Transcript)
42
(No Transcript)
43
Landscape and garden design as models of paradise
44
Katsura Palace and Garden, Kyoto
45
The Katsura Rikyu is a 17th century villa of an
imperial prince, Hachioji No Miya. The building
represents the purest form of Japanese native
architecture, that is, an architecture
representing something other than the Chinese
style. The thatched straight, not curved roofs,
paper sliding panels, light-emitting walls, and
straw matted rooms are the principal features.
The image of Japanese restrained interior and
use of natural materials are other important
features. The galleries overlook the garden,
where the inmates would sit on the veranda and
contemplate the moon.
46
Gardens of the Katsura Rikyu
47
(No Transcript)
48
Ginkakuji, Kyoto
Kinkakuji, Kyoto
49
Daisen-in, Daitokuji, Kyoto
50
Chaishitshu (Tea House), Kyoto
51
Tea-ceremony
52
Tatami division
53
(No Transcript)