Japanese architecture
By Arsh and Nathan
Japanese Castles
Were used as Fortresses
Were built to guard strategic and important sites
There used to be 5000 castles in Japan
50 castles remain today
Were first made in the 7th centaury
Declared Japans national treasures
Defense
Most of the castles were used as defense
Were built on hills, so they could see the attackers coming
Spaces in the walls for firing were called Sama
Sama were used to pour hot liquids on attackers climbing the wall
Some had moats
Stone walls to prevent attackers
Early Fortifications
Were primarily made of wood and earthworks
Used natural defenses for defense( hills, landscaping)
Most were influenced by Chinese and Korean Architecture
Were built on higher grounds to give it an imitating look
Himeji Castle in Japan.
Modern Times
Most of the castles were destroyed in World War 2
Many castles today are rebuilt versions
All castles were turned over to the Meji government in 1871
All of the castles are opened as museums today
Most castles in the south of Japan are in Kyuushuu
Himeji CastleIs located on a flat-land mountain
Named the First National Treasure
Known as “The White Heron Castle” Because of the white exterior
Greatest Defense is a maze leading to the front of the castle
Has appeared in many movies like “You only live twice”
Panorama view of Himeji
Catles
Walkthrough
Now we will take a walkthrough through a Japanese Castle
Housing In Japan
In Modern day Japan there are two styles of housing, a detached single family home and a multi-unit building (apartment).
Traditional days there were two types of housing.
Minka, a typical freestanding house.
Nagaya, row house.
Inside the House
Genkan:
Also know as the entrance. In this area the shoes are removed to prevent the tatmani mats from being damaged and placed into little cupboards. The tatmani mats where what traditional home floors were covered with.
トイレ :
Also known as the bathroom. In a Japanese bathroom there a two rooms, one for undressing which also has a sink and actual bathroom with a shower and deep bathtub.
Kitchen
Modern Japanese kitchen include stoves and broilers.
Have electric exhaust fans.
Built in dishwashers are uncommon.
Includes hot and cold running water faucets.
Washitsu
A traditonal styled room in modern homes. They include tatami flooring, shoji that cover the window, and a wooden ceiling. This room could be used in a variety of ways due to it being common for it being unfirnished.
Construction and Materials
Traditonal Homes: Kitchen usually had dirtfloors, wood was used to construct the building. There were some options for roofs, they could be thatch, cypress bark, tile, or bare wood.
Modern Homes: For most freestanding houses today wood frames are popular. For the extirior ceramic tile is most common , the intirior is very similar to the common Candian home. Apartments are usually made of concrete, as for the roof ashhalt and synthetics.
One Room Mansion
A Japanese apartment style with only one small room
Usually around 110sq ft.
Include a compact bathroom
Often rented by one person due to the very small size.
Heating
Modern Heating:
Unlike most houses where central heating is used to heat the home, in Japanese homes space heating is used. As most Japanese homes have space heating the equipment is usually taken when they move.
Traditional Heating:
The kotatsu is a traditional type of heater that is still widely used today. A light duvet cloth is used to keep the heat it.
Walkthrough
Now we will take a walkthrough a traditional Japanese home.