and Buddhist Architecture Merge
UNDER SAMURAI RULE: THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR 1185–1600
New Principles in Residential Architecture
Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji Temples
The Ichijōdani Historical Site
CENTRALIZED FEUDALISM: THE EDO PERIOD 1600–1868
Takayama: An Old Administrative Town
Kanazawa: An Important Castle Town
Ogimachi: A Remote Farm Village
Kurashiki: A Rice Merchant Town in Western Japan
The Important Role of Kura Storehouses
Sukiya Style Villas and Palaces
THE MEIJI PERIOD: JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE IN TRANSITION
Pseudo-Western and Blended Styles
New Residential Architecture in a Traditional Style
Temples and Shrines in the Traditional Style
Photo Credits and Acknowledgments
Japanese Architecture: An Overview
Japanese traditional architecture can be organized into several major genealogical groups on the basis of historical origins and stylistic influences. The most important group is composed primarily of palace, residential, and teahouse styles originating in prehistoric raised structures. Other major groups are commoner residences that evolved from prehistoric pit structures, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, theaters, and castles. The diagram below has been simplified to emphasize major trends.
Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto.
Jōruriji Temple, Nara.
HISTORICAL PERIODS
JŌMON
10000–300 BCE
YAYOI
300 BCE–300 CE
TOMB MOUND
300–710 (OVERLAPS WITH LATER PERIODS)
ASUKA
538–645
HAKUHŌ
645–710
NARA
710–794
HEIAN
794–1185
KAMAKURA
1185–1333
MUROMACHI
1333–1573
MOMOYAMA
1573–1600
EDO
1600–1868
MEIJI
1868–1912
Basic Principles
Many architectural styles have developed over the course of Japan’s long history. Nevertheless, there are several basic principles that can be found in the interesting but complex story told in the following pages. Some of these basic principles describe how core values
