General features Buddhist temples in Japan

the roof dominant feature of buddhist temple.

buddhist architecture in japan not native, imported china , other asian cultures on centuries such constancy building styles of 6 dynasties represented. history consequence dominated chinese , other asian techniques , styles (present in ise shrine, held quintessence of japanese architecture) on 1 side, , japanese original variations on themes on other.

partly due variety of climates in japan , millennium encompassed between first cultural import , last, result extremely heterogeneous, several practically universal features can nonetheless found. first of choice of materials, wood in various forms (planks, straw, tree bark, etc.) structures. unlike both western , chinese architecture, use of stone avoided except specific uses, example temple podia , pagoda foundations.

the general structure same: post , lintel support large , gently curved roof, while walls paper-thin, movable , in case non-carrying. arches , barrel roofs absent. gable , eave curves gentler in china , columnar entasis (convexity @ center) limited.

the roof visually impressive component, constituting half size of whole edifice. curved eaves extend far beyond walls, covering verandas, , weight must therefore supported complex bracket systems called tokyō. these oversize eaves give interior characteristic dimness, contributes temple s atmosphere. interior of building consists of single room @ center called moya, depart other less important spaces, example corridors called hisashi.

inner space divisions fluid, , room size can modified through use of screens or movable paper walls. large, single space offered main hall can therefore altered according need. separation between inside , outside in measure not absolute entire walls can removed, opening temple visitors. verandas appear part of building outsider, part of external world in temple. structures therefore made extent part of environment. use of construction modules keeps proportions between different parts of edifice constant, preserving overall harmony.(on subject of temple proportions, see article ken).

even in cases of nikkō tōshō-gū, every available space heavily decorated, ornamentation tends follow, , therefore emphasize rather hide, basic structures.

being shared both sacred , profane architecture, these architectonic features made easy converting lay building temple. happened example @ hōryū-ji, noblewoman s mansion transformed religious building.