JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE; Kamakura period

JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE; Kamakura period 

The presenter is;

• NURUL ASYIKIN
• HIDAYAH
• NAZHIRAH
• JOARIFF

KAMAKURA PERIOD &

THE STYLE AND CHARACTERS OF JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

History of KAMAKURA PERIOD 

Kamakura period (1192 - 1333) during which the basis of feudalism was firmly established. It was named for the city where Minamoto Yoritomo setup the headquarters of his military government, commonly known as the Kamakura shogunate.

The victory over the rival Taira family at the battle of Dannoura (1185), Yoritomo created his own military administration (bakufu) to serve beside the imperial court.

In 1192, his authority was given  imperial sanction when he was granted the official rank of shogun (hereditary military dictator).

Yoritomo’s death (1199) Real power in the bakufu was wielded by members of the Hōjōfamily who acted as shogunal regents for the remainder of the period. 

Two invasion attempts by the Mongols in 1274 and 1281 were thwarted by Japanese warriors with the aid of the “divinewind” (kamikaze) of typhoons that decimated the enemy fleet.

The financial strain imposed by the defense efforts against the Mongol attacks. However, exacerbated internal weaknesses in the regime. The revolt of the emperor Go-Daigo against the Kamakura shogunate in 1331 and ensuing factional struggles led to the collapse of the bakufu in 1333.

Kamakura architecture

During the Genpei War (1180-1185), many traditional buildings in Nara and Kyoto were damaged. For example, Kofuku-ji and Todai-ji were burned down by Taira no Shigehira of the Taira clan in 1180.  Many of these temples and shrines were later rebuilt by the Kamakura shogunate to condolidate the shogun’s authority.

Architecture in the Kamakura period was informed by a simplicity due to its association with the military order. New residences used a buke-zukuri style that was associated with  buildings surrounded by narrow moats or stockades. Defences became a priority, with buildings grouped under a single roof rather than around a garden.

The Style And Characters Of  Japanese Architecture

RESIDENTIAL HOUSE

Space PLANNING

Residential buildings such as homes are given attention in terms of planning, craftsmanship and building materials as they have a close relationship with human life.

Nature is the most important element for humans (based on the Zen concept). Therefore, home design is done to create a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.

Spacious interior and exterior space - do not have many restrictions. Space flow to the park.

Samurai house

Space PLANNING

Space planning inside samurai house only differ in scale.

The bedroom is directly connected with the store and dining room is separated.

The bedroom is directly connected with the store and dining room .

It has a covered corridor that connects one space to another, compared to home “shinden zukiri” (aristocrats) and castles.

It is gated with wooden walls and surrounded by drainage systems, united under one roof .

There are also several houses connected with a covered corridor and a walled fence.

• Floors are elevated to form a platform.

• Building materials: roof – thatch

FORM AND FUNCTION

Dwellings in the castle towns were highly regulated by the castle lord. All samurai kept their formal home near the castle. These samurai quarters are called Bukeyashiki or Samurai-yashiki. In the samurai quarters, the proximity to the castle and the size of the home were respective to the samurai's rank and standing with his lord. Samurai homes were typically modest dwellings but with the distinction that only samurai were allowed to have walls and gates

Samurai residences were the property of the local lord, but the residents were responsible for up keep. Samurai residences also served as another defense of the castle which is why you'll find them clustered near the castle and often strategically placed along important thorough fares.It is gated with wooden walls and surrounded by drainage systems.

TEA HOUSE

Tea house also became popular during this period, to reduce the tension and stress.

They were very small spaces, held up by pillars and conservative materials. 

It was said that tea houses were always supposed to be around an atmosphere of calmness and meditation.

The only decorations that would usually be in the tea house were calligraphy scrolls or flowers.

Tea house also became popular during this period, to reduce the tension and stress.

They were very small spaces, held up by pillars and conservative materials. 

It was said that tea houses were always supposed to be around an atmosphere of calmness and meditation.

The only decorations that would usually be in the tea house were calligraphy scrolls or flowers.

TOKYO IMPERIAL PALACE

One of the active palaces of the Emperor of Japan and has the longest history as the capital of Japan.

 The Emperor declared Meiji Restoration and Charter Oath at this place in 1868. The following year, the Emperor moved into Edo castle, currently Tokyo Imperial Palace, but he ordered the preservation of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1877, which is still used as an active palace.

JAPANESE GARDEN

The concept of Japanese garden art comes from various elements.

Spacious space

Zen concept and have artificial lakes.

Elements such as rocks, small trees, moss and sand.

3 types of parks :

Lake garden

Dry landscapes

Horizontal garden

facade

The façade is where interval space of the architecture and external environment interwine.

Façade is where the geographic, climatic and  cultural aspects (which cannot be separated from structural and environmental system)

These are example of Japanese façade :

- Engawa - Tategu - Arawashi

engawa

An engawa is a boarded floor running along the outside of a traditional Japanese home 

Often used as a type of veranda. In English, engawa literally translates as ‘edge side’. 

 usually faces a courtyard

AWARASHI

Defines as basic architecture component such as pillars, beams and fittings are not hidden, but instead expose to compose design element. 

TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION OF KAMAKURA

Introduction.

During Kamakura period (1185-1333), Japanese architecture made technological advances that made it somewhat diverage from its Chinese counter part.

In response to native requirements such as earthquake resistance and shelter against heavy rainfall and summer heat and sun.

The master carpenters of this time responded with unique type of architecture, creating the Daibutsuyo and Zensho styles.

conclusion

In the end, we concluded that Japanese Architecture nearly resemblance of Chinese Architecture based on their materials and space planning. 

Moreover, we can make as an inspiration for our local architecture. However, not all of aspect that we can use due to our different climate. 

Example, shoji screen could not be use as exterior opening in our architecture design because of Malaysia humidity could damage shoji screen easily.