An overview of some of the main characteristics of traditional Japanese architecture.
Before you balk at the reductiveness of the title, we’re well aware that the complexities of Japanese traditional architecture cannot be distilled into a short article. Tomes have been written about the origin, styles and features of Japan’s old buildings; the country’s architectural tradition is as long and deep as its own history. In this post, all we’ll try to do is give you an overview of six key characteristics of traditional Japanese buildings — houses, specifically. We’ll leave shrines, schools, temples and castles for another day.
When we talk about “traditional Japanese buildings,” we’re referring to those built in what roughly constitutes the Edo period (the 17th to mid-19th centuries) and a bit beyond. It was from the 19th century that Japan started incorporating modern Western influences in its architecture. In the country’s very early years, building was shaped by Chinese and other Asian ideas. Japanese houses have progressed from pit-style dwellings to spacious, sophisticated structures over the course of centuries.
Wood
By far the most prominent feature of traditional Japanese buildings is the dominance of wood. This was preferred over stone and other materials, in part because of the ever-present risk of earthquakes. In old Japanese houses, wood was given great respect and not concealed by paint or other coatings; it was used in its natural form so that the grain could be appreciated.
In some buildings, nails have not even been used — Japanese craftsmen developed alternative ways of connecting parts of the house. The roof, which tends to be thatch (older) or tile (more modern), typically has a gentle curve and is supported by posts and lintels.
Screens and sliding doors
Old Japanese houses relied on movable screens (shoji) and sliding doors (fusuma) to divide and re-divide rooms as needed. The screens tend to be light and papered, allowing some natural light (and shadows) into the rooms. Heavier shutters were sometimes used to close off the outside of the house. Glass windows were not a feature.
The screens and sliding doors, still used in houses today, were some of the first architectural exports from Japan to gain popularity in the West.
Tatami
While it arguably enters the realms of interior design and decorating, tatami is a big part of traditional Japanese architecture. Typically made of rice straw at the centre, with a covering of soft rush straw, tatami mats were used for a large part of the flooring in houses, providing a soft surface on which to sit and sleep (cushions and futons were used in lieu of chairs and beds).
The subtle scent of tatami blends with the wood to create a unique smell that defines traditional Japanese houses. Wander around one and you’ll see what we mean.
Tatami mats remain popular today, with many new flats and houses having at least one tatami room.
Verandas
Older Japanese houses tend to have a raised wooden veranda that runs around the outside edge of the house. This is called an engawa and is like an outdoor corridor. In days gone by it was sometimes sealed off by the aforementioned heavy (storm) shutters. You’ll see engawa in anime and Japanese movies; characters often sit on the veranda and look out into the garden (which is a whole other conversation).
Genkan
Japanese houses, even today, always have a sunken space between the front door and the rest of the house. This area, which is considered dirty (and actually is), separates the home from the outside and is where shoes are placed (usually on a rack or in a shoebox) before entering. A genkan has long been a practical way of keeping the family living space clean.
Relationship with nature
Japan’s Shinto and Buddhist beliefs influenced architecture right down to the residential level, with buildings reflecting a strong emphasis on humans’ relationship with nature. This is evident in the focus on natural light in old houses, as well as the use of wood in its raw form. It also comes through in the strategic design of houses to offer good views into the natural world and the change of seasons therein.
While not one of our top six, another feature of old-style Japanese architecture is the inclusion of sunken hearth called an irori, over which a pot would be hung. People would gather around the irori for warmth and conversation. These are sometimes still found in rural inns today.
Many cities have museums dedicated to the preservation of old styles of architecture — you can go and see in 3D what traditional buildings were like. Good examples include the Fukugawa Edo Museum in Tokyo and Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture.
Click here for a glimpse into the world of modern Japanese architecture.
By Carey Finn
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