1. THE EMPERIAL KATSURA
PALACE, KYOTO, JAPAN
AAR - ASIAN AND ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
LECTURER : DR. SUZANA BINTI SAID
PREPARED BY : MUSAHIDDIN BIN MD ZAINAL

2. The Imperial Villa of Katsura Rikyu is known for the impressive gardens
designed by Kobori Enshu in collaboration with Prince Toshihito.

3. Architect Kobori Enshu
Construction System Wood timber frame with tile roofs
Style Traditional Japanese

4. KATSURA HISTORY
• The construction of the Katsura Villa and grounds near Tokyo were
commissioned by the princes Toshihito (1579 – 1629) and Toshitada
(1619 – 1662) of the Hachijo Imperial Family and built in three
main stages starting in 1615 over a period of roughly fifty years.
• This extraordinary building also reflects the disciplines of Zen
Buddhism which arrived in Japan during the th century
simplicity restrain and the elimination of all unnecessary detail
• These disciplines led to the common language of symbolism
between man and nature to tastes that cost nothing and were
enjoyed collectively and to the Japanese use of space as a physical
expression of such taste
(Books: Introduction to Architecture Stephen Gardiner)

5. KATSURA LAYOUT

6. The Imperial Katsura Palace,Kyoto reflecting the zenith of Japanese
architecture reflects the harmonies discovered between the building landscape
and materials and the infinite possibilities of asymmetry and flexibility

7. CONSTRUCTION
As an aristocratic house Katsura should follow absolutely the kiwari
method which was based on a module – the length of span between
posts measured from the center of each post – which determined the
proportions of connecting beams rafters lintels and other visible parts
of the frame

8. Traditional Japanese Style
1. Tatami modular layout
2. Marriage of House & Garden
Main Building includes three attached structure
1. Ko-Shoin (Old Hall)
2. Chu-Shoin (Middle Hall)
3. Shin-Goten (New Hall)

9. SOURCES
Books
• Introduction to Architecture Stephen Gardiner
• History of Architecture Stonehange to Skyscrapers Dora P, Crouch
Web Sites
• http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/japan/kyoto/katsura.php
• http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Imperial_Villa_Katsura.ht
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