建築学

When people think of Japanese architecture, people most often visualize pagodas, shrines, shrine gates and tea houses. They may seem stereotypical, but they are a huge part of Japanese culture. Even modern Japanese architecture often contains nods to these ancient designs. I was able to view all of these iconic forms of architecture in Portland, Fort Wayne and Orlando.

茶房

宮居

パゴダ

Like so many things that have a cultural history, pagodas were influenced by something from another culture. What people think of when people picture a Japanese pagoda or tō actually comes from the design of pagodas in China. These Chinese pagodas were modeled after Indian structures called stupas. Pagodas come in two types, small stone structures that are most often used in Japanese gardens and wooden structures. These larger wooden structures are either two stories in height or if larger are always constructed with an odd number of floors.

Probably the thing most associated with pagodas are the square roofs with upturned corners.

When viewed with basic architecture in mind the similarities between shrines, pagodas and temples are obvious. People often assume that a shrine and a temple are the same thing. In Japan, a shrine is associated with the Shinto religion, while Buddhism is practiced in a temple. In my photos you will see an example of a Shinto gate and a pagoda.

Another iconic structure in Japanese culture is the Tea House or chashitsu (tea room). Designed to be used when people are gathered for a tea ceremony or for the arranging of flowers that are part of the ceremony. Many westerners are familiar with shōji doors, which are, along with shōji windows, a staple in tea house designs. Tea houses are traditionally small buildings with a simple and cleanly designed interior. They can be found in gardens, temples, and private residences. Traditional tea houses have low roofs and doors that require bending over to enter. More modern or less traditional tea houses like the one I have pictured in Portland are designed in a less traditional way but are still all about the making and consuming of tea.