Developments in timber structural systems in Japan

Abstract

How have basic principles of Japanese timber architecture developed from ancient times through until the present, and how has technology affected the developments of these principles? These are the issues which I will be addressing in this report. To answer the primary question I first study the developments of ancient Japanese architecture, to identify the sources and reasoning behind the traditions established. Then I discuss changes in Japanese culture which have influenced the changes in the style of their architecture, and the consequent changes and modifications of structural layouts and systems used in the context of timber architecture. Next to be investigated are the changes in technology over the last century or so, and major events such as devastating earthquakes and fires which have had significant influences on the ways in which the Japanese have used timber in their buildings. Finally, I will consider several chosen examples of contemporary timber structures in Japan. I will analyse them with respect to the traditions which were established over the last two millennia, and the changing attitude over the last decade in Japan to the use of timber in public buildings. The scope of my topic covers mainly medium to large scale construction in timber and only briefly touches on small scale dwellings such as the ancient pit dwellings of the Jomon period I was limited in my research to the English language. This has meant a significant proportion of articles or periodicals written in Japanese have not been able to be included. I assume though, that important articles would have been also printed in english. The research for this report was done using various sources. First, a literature search was conducted in the Victoria University School of Architecture library. Secondly a periodical search was undertaken on the on-line Avery index also at the school. Thirdly a search was performed through the series of "Japan Architect" periodicals to photocopy diagrams of relevant buildings and articles. Then I visited the Japan Cultural and Information centre and searched through their library. I also tried to search through the Engineering index using an on-line computer at the main campus library at Victoria University, but this was only possible from 1989 onwards. The remaining indexes back as far as 1975 were done by hand. Other searches include an on-line search through the Auckland University library, and a worldwide search on the internet network. These failed to produce any material that would have had any major influences on either my historical overview or my final outcome.