asian art history day 1 : architecture. stupa india definition: buddhist religious monument; mounds...
TRANSCRIPT
Asian Art History
Day 1 :
Architecture
StupaIndia
• Definition: Buddhist religious monument; mounds were originally made of mud or
clay to cover supposed ashes and relics of the Buddha. Later developed into stone
monuments.
Buddha
The Great Stupa (3rd century B.C.)
The Great Stupa
• Yasti– the mast or pole that arises
from the dome of the stupa. It symbolizes the axis of the universe; it is adorned with a series of chatras.
– Chatra» Stone, circular
disks located on the yasti
• Toranas – the four gateways
around the Great Stupa.
Pagoda
• Definition: tiered tower with
multiple eaves common in China,
Japan, and other parts of Asia.
Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located
in or near temples.
Important Note:
Chinese Pagodas were built of STONE
Great Wild Goose
Pagoda, at Ci’en Temple,
Xi’an (645 A.D.)
Important Note:
Japanese Pagodas were built of WOOD
Horyu-ji Goju no Tou
(Five-Level Pagoda)
Horyu-ji Complex Nara, Japan(607 A.D.)
• Finial (sorin): – used to
decoratively emphasize the apex (top).
• Podium (kidan):– used as a “base”
for the structure, elevating it above the ground.
One of the few surviving murals from the Horyu-ji
Temple Complex
The Great Wall of China (5th Century B.C.)