Japan Architecture

Japanese Architecture Style
Cihan University
Prepared by : Shyam wahid
Fourth Stage
Content :
1. Location
2. Architectural style
3. Influences
4. Traditional architectural styles
5. Structure
6. Construction materials
7. Features of Traditional Japanese
8. Interior
9. Examples of Traditional Japanese Architecture
1. Location :
• Japan is made up of over 4000 small islands with four main ones which are Surrounded
by water:
1. Hokkaido
2. Honshu
3. Shikoku
4. Kyushu
• The countries across the Sea of Japan

are North Korea, South Korea and
Russia .
2. Architectural style
Japanese architectural style evolves around clean and
uncluttered living, holding tightly to balance, order, ancient
customs and a love for natural beauty.
The main features of Japanese architecture:
•arches and barrel roofs are completely absent.
• preference of the straight line over the curved
• paper-thin, often movable and never load-bearing walls
• skillful use of various woods
• post-and-lintel structure
• large and gently curved roof

Japanese Architecture :
Japanese architecture has traditionally been typified by
• wooden structures,
• elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs.
• Sliding doors (fusuma)
3. Influences :
climate
Japanese Architecture
china Religion /
Buddhism
Influences :
CLIMATIC
• Japan is influenced by a cold airstream from Asia in winter, and by warm moist
air from pacific in summer.
• Houses, face south projecting eaves to give protection against sun, while high
courtyard walls screen the northern cold winds of winter.
4. Traditional architectural styles
Shinden-Zukuri (Aristocratic Mansions)
Shoin-Zukuri (Mansions of the Military)
Sukiya-Zukuri (Tea Ceremony)

5. Structure
• Ground is elevated to prevent moisture from the ground
• Places where people sit are covered with tatami mats
• Frame of the house supports the weight of roof

Styles of traditional roofing
• Irimoya
Used as Buddhist temple roof
• Kirizuma
Few castles
Used in houses
• Hogyo
Used in Buddhist construction
• Yosemune
Used in houses
❖ The roof is the most visually impressive

component
❖ The slightly curved eaves extend far

beyond the walls, covering verandas, and
their weight must therefore be supported
by complex bracket systems called tokyō,
6. Construction materials :
• wood frames
• native style construction
• Buildings clad in siding or faced with ceramic tile
• Clay tiles often bear a color and a glaze.
• Tile is a common roofing material
• Tile is a common roofing material
• Interiors have drywall, painted or with a wall covering

7. Features of Traditional Japanese
interior
•made of wood
•has tatami mat floors
•sliding shoji doors
•coffered ceiling
•lath-and-plaster walls
•tokonoma (display alcoves)
•Genkan(entrance)
Traditional Japanese house layout :
8. Interior :
• The interior of the building normally consists of a single room at the center
called moya .
• Inner space divisions are fluid, and room size can be modified through the
use of screens or movable paper walls.
• The large, single space offered by the main hall can therefore be divided
according to the need .
Fusuma :
• The fusuma are vertical rectangular panels which can slide from side
to side to redefine spaces within a room, or act as doors.
• Historically, fusuma were painted, often with scenes from nature such
as mountains, forests or animals.
The engawa :
• Is a typical element of the traditional Japanese house.
• It is a strip of flooring, usually made of hardwood and surrounding the house .
• represents a filter between the inside and the outside.

9. Examples of Traditional Japanese Architecture :
1. Byodo-in Temple
• an excellent example of the
Buddhist Pure Land style of
architecture .
• Its most distinctive feature is a

building called the Phoenix Hall,
which has two phoenix statues
sitting on the roof and is currently
featured on the ten yen coins.
2. Takayama Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse

• constructed during the Edo Period.
• They have thatched roofs that look

like two hands joined together in
prayer.
• they were built without the use of

nails or any other metals
3. Katsura Imperial Villa
• he Katsura Imperial Villa is a villa composed
of gardens and buildings built in the
17th century .
• best examples of traditional architecture and

garden layout and design. The well-
manicured grounds have many walking
paths, a wide variety of plants and trees, the
Geppa-ro Pavilion with its overlooking view
of the central pond, and teahouses.
4. Hikone Castle
• t is one of only five surviving castles in Japan
recognised as a national treasure and one of
the only twelve castles that still have their
original keep.
• it is has several turrets, a couple of gates

and bridges, and a large garden that is a
popular spot in spring and autumn.
5. Horyu-ji Pagoda
• one of Nara’s Seven Great Temples, the most
influential and powerful Buddhist temples in the
region’s history.
• It has a five- storey pagoda (which stands at 32.45

meters and is made of wood on a stone foundation)
that is acknowledged as one of the world’s oldest
wooden buildings still existing in the present day. It was
completed at the start of the 7th century and is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Negoro-ji
• Negoro-ji is a Buddhist temple complex built in
the early 11th century.
• hall that contains statues of the deities Sonsho-

butcho, Dainichi-nyorai and Kongo-Satta;
• the world’s largest wooden stupa; and the

Negorodera Garden, which is a popular viewing
spot in spring and autumn.
7. Toshogu Shrine’s Yomeimon
• traditional Japanese architectural structure
that features lavish and intricate decorations
• particularly the gate called Yomeimon, which

features beautiful carvings, painted in vivid
colours.
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Japanese Architecture Style

• The countries across the Sea of Japan

The main features of Japanese architecture:

•arches and barrel roofs are completely absent.

• preference of the straight line over the curved

• paper-thin, often movable and never load-bearing walls

• skillful use of various woods

• large and gently curved roof

Shoin-Zukuri (Mansions of the Military)

Sukiya-Zukuri (Tea Ceremony)

• Places where people sit are covered with tatami mats

• Frame of the house supports the weight of roof

❖ The roof is the most visually impressive

❖ The slightly curved eaves extend far

• native style construction

• Buildings clad in siding or faced with ceramic tile

• Clay tiles often bear a color and a glaze.

• Tile is a common roofing material

• Tile is a common roofing material

• Interiors have drywall, painted or with a wall covering

•has tatami mat floors

•sliding shoji doors

•tokonoma (display alcoves)

• It is a strip of flooring, usually made of hardwood and surrounding the house .

• represents a filter between the inside and the outside.

• Its most distinctive feature is a

2. Takayama Gassho-zukuri Farmhouse

• They have thatched roofs that look

• they were built without the use of

• best examples of traditional architecture and

• it is has several turrets, a couple of gates

• It has a five- storey pagoda (which stands at 32.45

• hall that contains statues of the deities Sonsho-

• the world’s largest wooden stupa; and the

• particularly the gate called Yomeimon, which

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