A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Ranma (欄間) is a decorative transom that is built between the lintel of an interior partition (such as shoji screen doors) and the ceiling. There are many different styles of ranma one
Jodo-ji Jododo(極楽山浄土寺)in Hyogo
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Jodo-ji Jododo(極楽山浄土寺) in Hyogo is a day trip from Kyoto, and is one of the handful of buildings that were built in the same style as the Great Southern Gate of Todai-ji
Shitajimado is one type of Japanese windows that are most common in Tea Houses
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Shitajimado (下地窓) is one type of Japanese windows that are most common in Tea Houses, though it’s said that it has its origin in rural farm houses. Shitajimado is the opening on
The beautiful Dogo Onsen complex is one of Japan’s oldest onsen hot springs.
A Guide to Japan’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture The beautiful Dogo Onsen complex (道後温泉) in the city of Matsuyama ((松山) is one of Japan’s oldest onsen hot springs. With its eclectic mix of styles and construction, Dogo Onsen served as
kibana (木鼻)
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture One common feature of traditional Japanese Temple and Shrine architecture is the use of kibana (木鼻), which roughly translates to a “wooden nose” in English. Originally, kibana refers to the end part
Shoiken (笑意軒) is the largest of the Tea Houses in Katsura Imperial Palace (桂離宮).
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Shoiken (笑意軒) is the largest of the Tea Houses in Katsura Imperial Palace (桂離宮). Like the other Tea Houses, Shoiken was built in the farmhouse inspired sukiya style with all its characteristics.
The bracket arm system in the Great Southern Gate of Todai-ji (東大寺南大門)
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Kumimono (組物), or the bracket arm system design on top of the pillars is one of the main design features of traditional wooden architecture in Japan, especially in temples and shrines. In
Sotokoshikake (外腰掛)
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Within a traditional Japanese Tea Garden, there are various structures other than the tea house itself. One such structure is the Waiting Arbour, or Sotokoshikake (外腰掛) in Japanese. It is a waiting
Mon (門), or gate structures within a Religious complex are important architecture
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture Mon (門), or gate structures within a Religious complex are important architecture in itself, as there is a heavy emphasis on how one approaches and experiences when entering a temple or shrine
the kamebara (亀腹), or turtle belly : A construction method of building foundation
A Guide to Kyoto’s Wooden and Traditional Architecture A construction method of building foundation that developed during the time of Japanese Style was the kamebara (亀腹), or turtle belly. The ground is raised and the edges are round, and finished