A4344 Traditional Japanese Architecture
History/Theory Seminar
Kunio Kudo
MAIN TOPICS
Course Introduction: Shinto Tradition and General Topics
Outline of Japanese Architecture
Shinto Tradition and Shrines
Presentations History & Doctrines of Shinto
Ise Shrines (Historical and Environmental setting)
Ise Shrines (Spatial and Structural analysis)
Izumo Shrine: Anti-Ise mythology
Izumo Shrine: Space and Structure
Meaning of Divine Pillar (Shin-no-Mihashira)
Buddhism Tradition and Temples
Presentations Evolution of Japanese Buddhism
Horyuji
Todaiji
Toshogu
Zen Tradition and Tea Rooms
Presentations Zen as existentialism of rising ruling class (samurai) and their frugality aesthetics
How it affected (and still affects) Japanese culture and why. (Michi, do, The Way)
Tea Ceremony: a ritualization zist of tribal thing (just making and drink a tea) as a once-in-a-life encounter (a momentous eternity)
Tea Room: a space of simple-looking complexity. Non-linearity and non-symmetry
Theories defined a tea room (Sukiya Philosophy)
Taian: Physical analysis (plan, structure, materials, light and condition)
Lineage of the sukiya space
Garden
Presentations Ryoanji
Katsura
Castle, Minka & Machiya
Presentations Castle
Minka
Machiya
Modulation and Craftsmanship
Presentation Kiwari and Tatami
Joinery
Presentation Toryo (Master Carpentry-ship)
Conclusive Discussion: Japanese Contradiction and Complexity
Presentations Complexity in Simplicity
Ordered Chaos
Intensity in Weakness (strong message with weakest media)
Eventuality, Accidentality, Fragility and Perishability