ARC 122 |Fall 2015 History of Art & Architecture I Department of Architecture, BRAC University Course Tutor: Saiqa Iqbal Meghna Lecture: 18 Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~]

Geography & Climate Comprised of 3 main islands. Geographic combination of mountains, forests, hills, lakes, rivers and some plains for Cultivation. Affected by natural forces: earthquakes, storms, typhoon and fierce winds. The climate is very cold in winter and warm in summer High humidity all year round Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Shinto religion, later mixed with Zen Buddhism Enlightenment through meditation and contemplation of nature This philosophy made the Japanese aware of the little changes in nature: sensing the delicate and subtle changes in seasons and weather There are 22 different names of rain. Emotional attachment and understanding of nature made the people naturalist and realist. A realist who is in touch with the reality of the world Because of the geographical restraint, hostile sea and the climatic changes people are Imaginative, making symbolism as part of their life. Philosophy & Religion Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Architecture & Landscape Philosophy and climate strongly influence the form of architecture and landscape. Building is part of the landscape, inseparable from the nature. House is intimately related to the land around it. Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Building technology: same as China, but the main development was in total incorporation of nature into building Traditional building materials: Wood, bamboo, straw, reed, and paper. Wood and clay tile roof. Wood frame single storey, because of the tradition of earthquakes Structure: roof supported by columns and posts Architecture & Landscape Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Architecture & Landscape Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Elaborated bracketing but simplified techniques than the Chinese. Ground floor raised above the ground for humidly control Covered verandas for rain protection Carpentry work: of highest quality in the world Wood and clay for roof Landscaped garden: Very naturalistic, manmade but looks organic with trees, bushes, lakes, hills, bridges, stepping stones,moss garden, hills, rocks, and pavilion

Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Japanese Zen Garden Dry garden or Japanese rock garden a living work of art for contemplation It is a sand court with different rocks placed in a meaningful way according to the philosophical belief The meaning or the interpretation is left to the eye to the beholder. One side has the verandas for sitting and contemplating and the other three sides are left open Quartz sand from the riverbed filled the garden and no one is allowed to walk on it

Representation of their thought about the universe. “The universe is a big void with materials floating in time. Human mind reflects this void- where worldly events float.” Quartz sand gardens reflect the universe and the rocks reflect the worldly events Fifteen rocks of five groups of five, two, three, two and three rocks. The groups are composed within them and are placed in mathematical relationship. But to eye it gives a sense of harmony Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Japanese Zen Garden

Three to five storey high Buddhist temple Tapering slightly each floor to produce the distinctive profile with overhanging roofs Light and flexible timber construction Roof is the main element Pagoda Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

1. Torii - Shinto gate 2. Stone stairs 3. Sandō - the approach to the shrine 4. purification spaceto cleanse one's hands and mouth 5. Tōrō - decorative stone lanterns 6. Kagura-den - building dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance 7. Shamusho - the shrine's administrative office 8. Ema - wooden plaques bearing prayers 9. Sessha/massha - small auxiliary shrines 10. Komainu - "lion dogs", guardians of the shrine 11. Haiden - hall of worship 12. Tamagaki - fence surrounding the honden 13. Honden - main hall, enshrining the kami 14. On the roof of the haiden and honden are visible ornamentations. Shinto Shrine Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Torii Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] The traditional houses raised so that the air can move around and beneath it. Wood is the material of choice because it is cool in summer, warm in winter, and more flexible when subjected to Earthquakes. Houses more open to the landscape. Inseparable from surrounding landscape. Roof became less prominent.

Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Deep overhang of the eaves to protect from long and heavy rainfall Roofs become less prominent especially in the houses

Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Interior space: treated as single Space Treating the spaces as continuous allow them to divide harmoniously when needed, so a lot of flexibility achieved. The houses did not have rooms named as sleeping, dining or living Rooms

Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Little or no furniture, things stored inside the wall cabinets

Tatami Standard for building dimensions 3’ X 6’, a mat for seating, was used as main floor covering, Made of rice straw, tightly knitted with rush Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ]

Tatami Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Imperial Villa, Katsura

Shoji Individual Houses Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] The sliding screen door, made with special translucent paper Made from mulberry tree, bamboo, wood Large shoji screen walls acted as sliding doors, whenever needed Opened wide to combine the outdoor nature and indoors Shoji also opens and combines spaces inside the house to make large rooms

Japanese ART Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] Most Japanese sculpture is associated with religion. Buddha as the main theme of sculpture and paintings

Deeply influenced by the Chinese art form because of the imported artisans, Modified the use of colour and subject matter Japanese ART Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] "Landscape of fall and winter" by SesshūSesshū

Japanese ART Japanese Civilization [552 AD ~ ] View on a fine breezy day, 1822