The modern architecture of Japan, as in antiquity, preserves simplicity and harmony. These two characteristics are invariably present in everything that is born in this country. The local climate, as well as the traditions and beliefs of the people, had a great influence on the formation of aesthetic principles in the construction of Japanese buildings.
Before the construction of famous temples, monasteries, palaces, people's dwellings were arranged in the form of dugouts, the roofs of which were made up of branches and straw. Later, the buildings began to be built on stilts. Roofs began to make gable. Elders and important people lived in such rooms. These structures were also used as storages for grain, thus protecting the crop from rodents, dampness and bad weather.
Japanese architecture of the next development period (Kofun) has special features. Buildings began to be erected for the nobility and rulers - tombs. Kofuns (mounds), being symbols of an established cult, had impressive dimensions and were constructed in various forms. The tombs could be in the form of rectangular or round embankments, hexagons. The most common were the structures in the form of a keyhole. Mounds were often surrounded by water ditches, thus limiting access to the burial.
Japanese architecture of the period of construction of Shinto structures is characterized by maximum simplicity. The buildings used massive pillars as a support and thatched light roof. Shinto constructions were a sanctuary and abode for spirits "kami". Japanese architecture has always been distinguished by the desire to combine buildings with the landscape. The period of Shinto constructions was no exception. The Japanese used unpainted wood, built open verandas using straight lines. The buildings harmoniously fit into the surrounding nature and at the same time had a plain natural look.
To this day, the gates of the "torii" - a type of Shinto structures, have been preserved. They served as the entrance to the temple or were sometimes installed in the middle of a field or forest. Torii, consisting of two supports and transverse crossbars, without flaps, had a ritual purpose.
The predominance of wood as a building material in Japan was not accidental. In open, light houses, the hot climate is more easily tolerated. In addition, simple wooden structures can be easily dismantled, moved and reassembled in a new place. It is also important that the tree has more stability and flexibility to earthquakes than any other materials.
Japanese architecture has acquired more complex features with the advent of Buddhism in the country. The layout of the temples of that period includes pagodas, separate dining and sleeping rooms, and towers.
As a material for the foundation, the Japanese begin to use stone. This allows you to create sustainable and large buildings.
The new religion influenced not only the architecture of the temples, but also the estates of the nobility and the dwelling of the common population.
At that time, such styles of architecture began to develop as "siden" (bedroom, translated), "shoin" (studio or library).
The houses built in the Syden style were distinguished by the presence of a spacious hall - the main part of the room. In the internal layout, division into rooms was not used, if necessary, personal space could be separated by a screen or a bamboo screen suspended from the ceiling. On the plank floor there was a mat - “tatami”.
The room, arranged in the “shoin” style, on the contrary, was distinguished by its division into separate zones. The doors to the veranda, the niche in the room, the cabinet table, the stepped shelf surrounding the niche were considered to be integral components of the decor.
Despite the fact that modern Japanese architecture is developing under the influence of modernization, which brought a huge number of technological innovations, it contains features of traditional architecture.