Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: architecture

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Fusui

風水風水学
alternative words: Feng shui, Fuusui, Fusuigaku, Fu sui
keywords: architecture , china , mystery , philosophy
related topics: Onmyodo , In-yo go-gyo setsu
related web sites: http://www2.odn.ne.jp/fengshui/index/ , http://www.mine.ne.jp/yasuyuki/fusui/ , http://www.jsdi.or.jp/~nao/ , http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~matchi/
explanation: Invented in China 3000 years ago as an art to choose the locality of a capital, it became soon an art to choose the locality of any buildings and their architecture. Fusui had known a tremendous development in China and other Asian nations by associating other Chinese sciences such as In-yo go-gyo setsu because Fusui was considered to influence human destiny. Recently Fusui has been recognized even by scientific community because of the importance of an environment on human behaviors.

Japanese pagoda

五重塔
alternative words: Gojunoto, Gojuunotou, Goju-no-to, Goju no to, Gojuu no tou, 5 storied pagoda, Five storied pagoda, Five story pagoda
keywords: architecture
related topics: Asuka period
related web sites: http://www.hikyaku.com/gallery/english/horyuji.htm , http://www.hikyaku.com/gallery/english/yakusji.htm
explanation: 5 storied wooden tower in Buddhist architecture. Introduced from China with Buddhism during Asuka period, its main function is enshrining Buddha's relic (but it is purely fictive in Japanese architecture). The oldest tower still remaining is at Horyuji Temple dated from the early Nara period (initial tower of Asuka period had been burned out), while the tallest is at Toji Temple (55m high). Some temples have erected 2 towers to keep a symmetry plan like Yakushiji Temple and Todaiji Temple.

Shindenzukuri

寝殿造
alternative words: Shinden zukuri, Shindenzukuri style
keywords: architecture
related topics: Heian period , Heiankyo
explanation: Residence of aristocrats in Heian period. It consists of the main building (shinden or master's sleeping quarters) at center and a pound on its south, where the boat playing was organized. Shinden is surrounded by servants and low ranking clerks' houses and forms a squared zone of 109m each side, fit to Heiankyo's district division. With a decline of the nobility at the end of Heiand period, shindenzukuri was replaced by shoinzukuri of samurai clans. Byodoin temple owns a typical shindenzukuri style.

Shoji

障子
alternative words: Shouji
keywords: architecture
related topics: Kamakura period , Japanese paper
related web sites: http://www.media-line.or.jp/shoujigami/ , http://www.tcct.zaq.ne.jp/koundo/
explanation: Initially it designated every movable and light structure such as fusuma (sliding screen) and tsuitate (screen) inside Japanese house. Since Kamakura period, thin white Japanese paper (washi) has been applied to wooden frames to let light penetrate inside room. Now, the term "Shoji" is specially used to this sliding screen as opposing to Fusuma which uses thick paper. Shoji still continues to be appreciated by may people because of the healthiness: it lets air to pass freely.

Tatami

畳
alternative words: Japanese mat
keywords: architecture , thing
related topics: Muromachi period
related web sites: http://www1.coralnet.or.jp/taro/tatami.html , http://www.inh.co.jp/~yuichiro/100kaisetu001.html
explanation: Mats to cover the floor of Japanese traditional houses. A block of nested straws is covered by igusa plant (a kind of reed) When Tatami is worn, you exchange only igusa cover. Initially laid only at the sleeping place like a bed, its usage had been extended everywhere since Muromachi period in upper class houses, and also to middle class ones since Edo period. A tatami has about 90cm width and 180cm height and this surface (Jo) is used as the unit of a room size in Japan.

Tokonoma

床の間
alternative words: Japanese alcove, alcove
keywords: architecture , art
related topics: Muromachi period , Kakemono , Ikebana , Kagami mochi
explanation: During Muromachi period, in upper class houses, there existed place to hang a Buddhist picture scroll and to set a low table for incense or a flower base. This place had evolved to an alcove with a little elevated soil to replace the table. This place has lost the initial religious character but still remains, in traditional Japanese houses, as an ideal place to admire a changing season by hanging a picture scroll (Kekemono) and putting a flower base (Ikebana) before it.

Torii

鳥居
alternative words: Torii gate, Shrine gate, Shinto gate, Torii shinto gate, Torii portal, Shrine portal, Shinto portal
keywords: architecture , shintoism
related topics: Shintoism , Yayoi period , Shimenawa
explanation: Portal to enter a shinto sanctuary. 2 horizontal bars are supported by 2 vertical sticks (it looks like rugby porch but the vertical sticks don't surpass the horizontal ones). The topmost bar is called Kasagi while the 2d bar little below is called Nuki where man hangs sometimes shinto decoration such as straw festoon (shimenawa). Torii means "bird sitting" because birds are frequently sitting there. But birds may represent also a totem symbol, if torii is a relic of Yayoi village's entry.

Tumulus

古墳
alternative words: Kofun, Tomb mounds
keywords: architecture
related topics: Kofun period , Emperor Ojin , Emperor Nintoku , Haniwa
related web sites: http://www.wnn.or.jp/wnn-history/ , http://www.mediajoy.com/chikatsu/cs/
explanation: In the ancient times, all the east Asian countries had got used to build tomb mounds for their kings or aristocrats. Initially square or circular forms as in other countries, Japanese tumulus evolved to a keyhole shape (Zenpo koen fun, i.e. forward-square back-circular tumulus) and sometimes their size is really huge, like Nintoku Tenno ryo of 486m long, built in the 5 century near Osaka. But in the following centuries they shrank in size because they were too expensive to build.

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