Japanese architecture was influenced by Chinese styles from the 6th to 9th centuries. Traditional Japanese buildings used wood construction methods and featured steeply pitched thatched roofs to withstand heavy snowfall. The historic village of Miyama in Kyoto preserves many old thatched-roof farmhouses, known as kayabuki, that provide insight into past rural lifestyles and Japanese architectural traditions. Wood remains an important material in Japanese building, and architectural elements like ornate giboshi bridge decorations blend form and function.

1. YAP CHOE HOONG
[Student ID : 0323161]
[Effective Public
Communication]
[FNBEMarch2015]

2. Historical Background of
Japan
Teachings and ideas
were taken from
China from the 6th
to 9th century

3. Historical Background
-Japanese Architecture-
• Asuka and Nara period of
architecture -period of
blossoming art and culture in
Japan.
• The Heian period (9th
century) - continuation of this
and also the period where
the Chinese influence began
as one of the premier
architects of the time learned
the design in China and brought
his ideas back to Japan.
• Wooden temples were rising in
greater numbers - different

4. Historical background of Kyoto
-Japanese Architecture-
• Nara was the first centralized
capital of the nation
established in the late 8th
century.
• The layout of the capital city
was influenced by Chang’an,
the capital of China during that
time.
• The Nara period was the last
time that political power was
held by the emperor. The
following Heian period was
characterized by an affluent
aristocracy with eccentric
social customs, and the

5. Strucure and layout of
Japanese Architecture
• Japanese exteriors and
interiors stress on space
and form, with
decoration and
furnishing limited to
essentials.
* The forms of Japanese
architecture and furniture
were also a factor in the
early development of the

6. Structure and layout
• Japanese architecture is a
blend of Chinese influences
and Japanese innovation.
• The traditional methods of
Japanese architecture are
very based on Chinese
methods of timber
construction.
• Surviving structures from
the Nara period were found
resembling Chinese
architecture.
• Japanese architecture, like
other arts, is more
preoccupied with form

7. • These were very different
from the medieval castles
of Europe though-they were
built in the style of the
shrines with the wooden
powers and out cropping
roofs.
• They were meant to house
feudal lords and their
soldiers, while still
Structure and layout

8. About Kyoto
• It’s rich,
deep and
incredibly
liveable
• While the
rest of
Japan has
adopted
modernity
with
abandon,
the old ways
are hanging
on in Kyoto.
About Kyoto and
Why?

9. Miyama - Kayabuki
Gallery and Folk Museum

10. Miyama, Kyoto
• It was where the old thatched
roof houses were scattered
along Miyama River,
• This part of the town is called
"Kayabuki no Sato"
(Thatched Roof Village)

11. • Unlike any other historic
towns and districts
around the country, the
majority of Miyama's
old houses survive
as residential
dwellings
• Creates a very nostalgic
atmosphere to the area,
and gives visitors an
opportunity to
experience the
Miyama, Kyoto

12. Farmhouses in Miyama
• Different farmhouses have
construction styles in
accordance with widely
varying weather patterns.
However, architectural
similarities can be seen
between dwellings across the
country.

13. Wooden facades, thatched
roofs, sunken hearths, earth
floors for stable and kitchen,
and living spaces on elevated
wooden floors

14. Thatched houses

15. • During the period of
widespread rice farming, the
result was the appearance of
permanent settlements with
bigger populations.
• Communities became
organized in villages as a
whole, with areas demarcated
for granaries, storehouses and
living quarters.
• Houses, especially the
Structure and Layout

16. Miyama Kayabuki no Sato
-Winter-

17. Structure and Layout
• Gassho-zukuri means
"constructed like hands in
prayer", as the farmhouses'
steep thatched roofs
resemble the hands of
Buddhist monks pressed
together in prayer.
• The architectural style
developed over many
generations and is
designed to withstand

18. • The roofs, made without nails,
provided a large attic space
used for cultivating
silkworms.
• Dwellings were built directly
over an earth floor. The floor
may have been hollowed in,
which are often called "pit
dwellings"
Structure and Layout

19. Miyama Kayabuki no Sato
-Night view-

20. Materials

21. Timber construction

22. Old timber-constructred Farmhouses

23. • Architects in Japan were also
at a point influenced by the
Koreans; buildings were
made from stone and
timber and though most of
these early structures are long
gone, they live on in
manuscripts and paintings.
• However, wood is the most
important material in
Japanese architecture
because the volcanic nature
Materials

24. Steep thatched house to
sustain massive snowfall

25. Ornaments
• Giboshi is a kind of
ornament used on holder
Japanese bridges.
• Giboshi bridge ornaments
are said to resemble the
bulbous flower of the onion.
• The ends of giboshi are
bulbous and come to a
point, resembling the onion
domes in Western culture.
• They are often found in
older Japanese bridges,

26. • Most commonly made of
bronze, they are also made of
wood, tile, brass and iron
• The giboshi consists of a
cylindrical column, broken by
horizontal bands. Above the
column is a rounded base,
supporting what is called the
jewel pedestal
• The jewel pedestal has a narrow
neck
Ornaments

27. Giboshi

28. • Japan has an interesting
variety of buildings that exhibit
different architectural forms
from humble farm houses to
grand imperial palaces
• Buildings were traditionally
built in wood - because of
the abundance of timber
and due to the material's
relatively good resistance to
earthquakes
• Houses were then built fire-
insulated with earthen
Architecture of Japanese
Traditional Dwellings

29. • Unfortunately, many
buildings were lost through
the years to natural
disasters, the humid climate,
fires and wars.
• Efforts have been made to
preserve some
monumental buildings
including temples, shrines,
palaces and castles, of
which many are very old
and require periodic
renovations.
• Furthermore, efforts are
Architecture of Japanese
Traditional Dwellings

30. History, Materials, Structure & Layout
-Influences of Japanese Architecture-
• After World War II, Japan
architecture was rapidly
modernized with Western's
creation and influence,
leading to some truly
inspiring buildings of metal
and concrete like the
Tokyo Metropolitan
Government Building.
• Japanese architectural
design is unique from the
architecture of the west,
partially because of the
materials that were

31. References
• http://www.country-data.com/cgi-
bin/query/r-7139.html
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/kansai
/kyoto#ixzz3xc4pmCvi
• http://www.architecturecourses.org/histor
y-traditional-japanese-architecture
• http://char.txa.cornell.edu/nonwest/japan/j
apanhis.htm
• http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/g/gibos
hi.htm
• http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2111.html
• http://www.japan-
guide.com/g10/destination_miyama_top.j
pg
• http://www.miyama-kyoto-
kajikaso.com/english/miyama-region-1/
• https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/736x/a2/ae/ca/a2aeca62
32dce511d90b361586634cb3.jpg
• http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3552/340582
5728_3a4b9e08c0_o.jpg
• http://www.miyama-kyoto-