Thesis statement
Introduction
The Japanese architecture differs significantly from the rest of the world, and it has undergone an array of changes from the beginning of its history (Abel & Foster, 2012). The history of the Japanese architecture exists in various documents that bear the historical information regarding most conspicuous aspects of the society. The structures originated from the timber and stones and the major ideas faced the influence of the Koreans.
Tadao was a critical regionalist who made significant contributions in shaping the architectural designs in Japan, for example, the construction of the Shinto Shrines. It is one of the oldest forms of architecture in Japan, and Tadao developed the shrines through the formulation of new construction designs (Abel & Foster, 2012). The architect was very keen in developing designs that would last for long, with the use of the quality materials as well as his technical knowledge to redefine architecture in Japan.
Additionally, the paper will majorly focus on the construction of the Shinto shrines basing the ideologies to the principles of architecture guiding the construction process (Abel & Foster, 2012). Moreover, there will also be an overview of the process of the introduction of the church of the light by Tadao Ando, and finally the contrast and comparison between the old traditional Japanese architecture and Tadao Ando’s building of the church of light.
Shinto Shrine and its Principles in Design
The Shrine is Japan’s oldest belief system in Japan. It is one of the oldest structures in the country. The construction follows the Buddhist principles and ways of constructing a place of worship (Bains, 2016). Based on research, it is evident that before the development of Buddhism, the shrines used to be temporary structures. They did not follow any particular architectural tenets. Therefore, the construction of the Shinto shrine took place in the wake of the Buddhism.
The existence of verandas, elaborate gates as well as the stone lanterns contributed to the architectural design of the Shinto shrines. There are the various parts of a shrine that are missing in the Shinto Shrine, for example, the honden may be missing as suggested by various researchers (Bains, 2016). Since the construction is a religious place, it has a stone fence, known as the tamagaki. The access to the place occurs via an approach known as Sando.
The construction of a temple could take place in, near a shrine, or to the contrary for a shrine, to account for the Buddhist sub-temples (Bains, 2016). The construction of the Shinto shrine adopted a tutelary and the temple shrines called Chunjisha came into existence to house it. The common shrines must have features like the Shinto gate, stone stairs, and the approach to the shrine known as the Sando. Additionally, there existed a fountain for the cleaning of one’s hands.
The decorative stone lanterns are a common feature that is unforgettable during the construction of the Shinto Shrine. There existed the shrine administration office as well as the wooden plaques that bore the prayers and wishes from the various believers (Bains, 2016). Therefore, Tadao applied the principles of construction to some extent as an approach in shaping the architecture behind the place of worship like Shinto Shrine.
The Church of Light
The church of light exists in the suburbs of Osaka. The construction materials for the church involve the silky smooth concrete sites that exist modestly within the environment of the church (Bains, 2016). Its design comprises of the two rectangular volumes the volumes are the cuts exist at an angular deflection of 15 degrees, through the freestanding of the concrete walls that make up the church.
The entrance to the church follows a certain routine that applies to all people who enter the church. They enter through the two volumes in a slipping manner. It is an indirect form of the entrance but it applies to all the people who fellowship in the church (Bains, 2016). Light and shade define the space within the church. The in the chapel there is a space for the entrance of light into the chapel behind the altar.
The darkness of the church results from the dark wood of the floor planks. The pews from reused wood can also serve as the darkening material, and such materials have a rough texture (Bains, 2016). The lighter coloured wood in a smooth service is the construction material for the Sunday school. The church furnishing was enough to cater for the congregations that gather there for their worship practices.
The concept of the building follows the precepts of the Christian religion because the church was built in a different form from the other temporary constructions. Therefore, the construction of the church relied on the concept of worship, because it aimed at any other purpose strictly to serve as a place of worship (Bains, 2016). Therefore, the light church was a large building, whose construction followed unique principles; making it a large place to accommodate many people, and the light materials safeguarded the risk of falling. Therefore, the purpose of the building was strictly for Christian worship.
Contrast between the Japanese Architecture and Tadao’s Building of Light Church
There exist certain significant similarities and differences between the old Japanese architecture, and the Tadao Ando’s building of the light church (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). As a result, the next part of the paper will focus on the similarities as well as the differences existing between the old Japanese building designs and the Tadao Ando’s building of the light church.
Similarities
Firstly, both forms of construction followed defined principles of architecture that create a distinction between the Japanese constructions from the rest of the world. Additionally, the architectural principles define the manner in which each building goes through the process of construction (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). Such architectural principles could guide the process of constructing buildings in Japan, an act that fosters the recognition of the quality of the structures because the guiding principles ensure that the construction follows uniform procedures.
Secondly, it is common among the different forms of architectural structures had the laid down plans for the furnishing of such constructions. A house must be furnished after the construction process is complete. Therefore, the Japanese architects would complete the construction of a structure and follow the laid down plans to access the expected furniture for the house.
Thirdly, the construction process follows a common path. It is evident in the sense that almost all houses have the same shape (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). It is common knowledge that the people who share a common space or reside in a common place have close relationships regarding the kinds of architectural structures they build. Therefore, in Japan it is common to find structures in the same place that are identical in either shape or the construction materials.
Finally, the construction of the old Japanese houses is achievable by the use of experienced Japanese architects. Therefore, there is no instance of the importation of labor to aid the process of construction of both structures (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). As a result, the architects of Japan get to learn how to go about such a task through the acquisition of knowledge from the institutions within the country, and through then teachings accorded by the local experts.
Differences
Firstly, in the building of the light church, Tadao Ando made use of the light materials as opposed to the old Japanese architectural materials, which made use of both stones and wood materials. As a result, it is prudent to deduce that Tadao Ando applied the light materials to construct the light church because it was a large building and it was for the accommodation of large groups of people (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). Additionally, the architect considered the growth of the population in the church hence leading to need to expand the building.
Secondly, there existed specific features meant for the light church like the Sunday school space, as well as the routine for the entry of the church, which is not applicable to old Japanese buildings (Usarski & Shoji, 2016).
Thirdly, the church was for worship and it, therefore, served as a place of worship containing unique furniture designs. The church had a pulpit, a feature that is rarely or not found in the old Japanese structures (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). Therefore, it is evident that there exists a difference between the old Japanese building designs and Tadao Ando’s new design of the light church.
Finally, it is evident based on the research findings that the church has the natural light as a contributor to defining the space within the building, a feature that is not applicable to the old Japanese buildings (Usarski & Shoji, 2016). Most Japanese buildings rarely have an opening for the passage of light apart from the normal structural windows. Therefore, the space within the old Japanese building remains the architect’s task in its definition.
Conclusion
Tadao Ando developed the approaches to architectural design through the daily practice, as well as learning from other regions like Korea. Therefore, it is evident that there exists a process of acquisition of the approaches, and that Tadao Ando was passionate about the new construction designs. As a result, it is prudent to deduce that the architect was one of the people who introduced the modern housing designs into Japan, through the systematic modification of the existing structures to fit the modern life in Japan. As a result, the modernization of the architectural systems in Japan did not just happen suddenly but the process was able to guide the architectural system.
References
Abel, C., & Foster, N. (2012). Architecture and identity. Routledge.
Bains, D. R. (2016). Church Architecture Worldwide since 1800. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to World Christianity, 386-398.
Usarski, F., & Shoji, R. (2016). Buddhism, Shinto and Japanese New Religions in Brazil. Handbook of Contemporary Religions in Brazil, 279.
