traditional dwellings

Effective Public Communications [COM 30103]

Natalie Ki (0318918) Ameer Farhan (0319304) 1

contents

History of Japan

History of “Zukuri”

Types of Traditional Japanese Dwellings

Shinden Zukuri

Structure & Layout

Materials

Furniture

Reflection 2

History of Japan

8000 BC It is said that the first people to arrive on the islands

of Japan lived back around 8000 BC.

When the Asian inlanders migrated and mingled

with the people of Japan, they began to develop

skills such as hunting, fishing, fighting and other

techniques.

1274 - 1281

Military leaders called ‘Shoguns’ ruled over Japan,

preventing invaders from entering the country by

forbidding foreigners to enter and citizens to leave.

1853 Japan economy begins to grow by agreeing to

trade with the United States.

3

The Shogun: Tokugawa Yoshinobu, in 1867

4

1868-1912 During the rule of Emperor Meiji, Japan begins to

grow. The country increases in terms of wealth and

power – defeating China & Russia in wars.

1910

Japan takes over the Korea Peninsula, ruling it for

35 years – until 1945.

1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake, one of the worst

quakes in world history, destroys Tokyo and

Yokohama. More than 140,000 people are killed.

1931 Japan invades Manchuria, China. In 1937, Japan

goes to war against China.

1940 - 1941 Japan becomes an ally of Germany and Italy in

World War II. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacks

Pearl Harbor, the U.S. naval base in Hawaii. 5

The Great Kanto Earthquake

6

1945 The U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and

Nagasaki. Japan surrenders

1964

Tokyo hosts the Summer Olympics. It's the first time

the Games are held in Asia.

2001 - 2006

Crown Princess Masako gives birth to a girl, Princess

Aiko. Five years later, Princess Kiko gives birth to a

baby boy. The baby, Hisahito, is third in line to the

throne.

2010 China overtakes Japan as the world’s second

largest economy.

2011 A massive offshore earthquake and tsunami cause

major damage to cities. The country faces a

nuclear threat when a power plant is severely

damaged. 7

The summer olympics 8

History & types of

“Zukuri”

9

In Ancient Japan…

Pit Dwelling Houses

Houses with columns inserted into a dig-hole in

the ground then surrounded by grass

10

Pit Dwelling House

11

Elevated Houses

A house that was built with the floor raised

above ground.

It is said to have originated from South-East

Asia.

This type of house was used to store grains and

other foods so that they would not spoil from

heat and humidity.

12

Elevated House

13

In the eleventh century…

Shinden Zukuri

A house for the aristrocrats.

Built in the middle of a large garden, it is

symmetrical, with long hallways.

This layout allowed the wealthy to enjoy the

seasons.

Shoin zukuri

A different version of the shinden-zukuri, built

for the samurais.

The only difference is the ornamental alcoves

of the guest rooms.

14

Shinden-Zukuri & Shoin-Zukuri

15

Gassho Zukuri

A house for the commoners, farmers and city

dwellers.

These houses were built to withstand the

weather conditions.

Some farmers had space indoors or outdoors

for their cattle and horses.

Houses of the city dwellers were squeezed

close together.

The commoners were taxed based on the

width of the front side of the house, so they

were often long and narrow.

The term ‘gassho’ means ‘praying hands’ –

describing how the roof structure looked like.

16

Gasho Zukuri

17

In the meiji era…

Kura Zukuri

A house built with a Japanese-looking exterior,

but were made from more fire-resistant

materials.

The style that is the basis for Japanese homes

today, which usually have a long hallway

through the middle of the house with rooms on

each side, is said to combine foreign culture

with the style of house preferred by the

samurai.

18

Kura Zukuri

19

寝殿造

20

The shinden zukuri is a type of architectural style for traditional Japanese

dwellings that flourished during the Heian period.

Typically, this type of housing was built for the wealthy aristrocats,

samurais, nobles and royalty.

Structure and layout

21

The shinden zukuri is marked by:

A main, central building (the largest), which is built to face South.

Secondary buildings that surround it and are attached to it by different

types of long corridors and bridges.

The building in such an estate are single-story high and raised off the

ground on wooden pillars.

General layout

22

23

The “SHINDEN”

The heart of the estate, or the “main building” is called the ‘shinden’.

The name “shinden zukuri” comes from this.

Translated, it means “sleeping hall”, thus stating it’s purpose as the primary

residential area of the householder.

24

At the center of the shinden is an area called the:

“moya no hi no omoshi”

It is the inner most sanctum of the shinden, where family treasures are

kept.

It can also be used as a private sleep quarter for the householder.

25

The rest of the ‘moya’ serves as the primary living space for the head of

the house.

The area surrounding it is called the ‘hisashi’

The hisashi can be broken up into ad hoc rooms (temporary rooms) using

partitions, tatami mats and rice paper standing screens

26

The “Tai no Ya”

The ‘tai no ya’, translated, means ‘the pavilion’ or ‘opposed house’.

It is the space meant for the direct relatives, family members and very

close personal friends.

27

The “wataridono”

The ‘wataridono’ are the verandas backed by walled chambers.

They usually consist of a combination of open and enclosed corridors that

link the ‘shinden’ to the ‘tai no ya’.

Typically, this space is used as a office or residence chambers for lady’s-in-

waiting.

28

The “sukiwatadono”

The ‘sukiwatadono’ are ‘roofed bridges’ that are often arched or stepped

to provide some form of visual interest.

29

The “Rô” ”

The ‘ro’ are the ‘wings’ that stretch across the estate and around the

borders of the southern garden.

This stretch is usually a long corridor (open & enclosed) littered with rooms

that served secondary chambers such as kitchenettes, offices, dojos and

others.

30

The “tsuridono” ”

The ‘tsuridono’ are open pavilions at the south end of the structure.

There may be one or two, and typically, each corridor will terminate the

structure.

It is built abutting or directly over the artificial pond of the estate. This

space is used for fishing.

Materials

31

The pillars which the buildings rested on were wooden pillars.

The building flooring itself was made out of wooden planks.

There was no general tatami flooring, as tatami in the Heian period were

moved about as required for bedding or for ad hoc seating purposes.

The roofs were all plank construction, with the better models being clad in

cypress shingles while some were even thatched instead.

There were no tiles on the roof except for the ridges.

32

Rice Paper partitions & tatami mats

Furnishings

33

There were cushions and rush mats used for sitting and sleeping.

The interior space was often decorated with ikebana (flower

arrangements), movable furniture, cushions, vases or antiques, and works

of art.

For a samurai, they would sometimes have a space for displaying their

katana when guests arrived.

Otherwise, the interior space of a shinden zukuri is relatively plain and kept

to a minimum as most furnishings were temporary and could be stored

during the day so the space could be used for something else.

34

Interior during daytime

35

Typical bedroom (futon, sudare, zabuton)

36

Living Space (Hisashi)

37

Living Space (Hisashi)

Reflection

38

For this project, we feel as though we have:

- Learnt a deeper understanding on Japanese culture.

- Developed a more keen eye on studying traditional Japanese dwellings,

especially the Shinden Zukuri.

- Understood more on Japanese history.

- Improved out skill on analyzing and sourcing for information relevant to

our project.