Cornell University Spring 2004

Department of Architecture/ L. Mirin

T.A.: T.B.A.

Course Outline: Arch 339

Elements, Principles, and Theories

in Japanese Architecture

The course is an introduction to the architecture and gardens of Japan, with emphasis on the concepts that underlie the development of the spatial phenomena and material order characteristic of Japanese design. Since an understanding of the evolution of social and political direction in Japan is necessry to fully comprehend the unique meaning of its architecture and garden design, additional attention will be given to these aspects of the culture as they exert an influence on various expressions of form. Particular attention is paid to the dialectic between tradition and modernism.

Class format will consist of lectures, films, discussions and readings. The latter are of major importance; every effort should be made to keep current with the assignments. Readings will be placed on reserve in the Fine Arts Library; additional class handouts will be made available from time to time.

Two exams (dates listed below) will given during the semester. In addition, each student will be required to complete a project or a research paper (details below)

TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE

Date /Subject

Readings

1/Jan. 30 Introduction-Nature andArtifice

Masuda: World Architecture-Japanese (excerpt)

Bognar: "The Japanese Order of Things."

2/Feb. 6 A Cultural Overview/Order and Place in the Ancient Period

Settlements and Shrines,The Landscape as Garden

Nitschke: "Ma-The Japanese Sense ofPlace:

Nishi/Hozumi: What is JapaneseArchitecture? pp. 7-17, 40-43, 54-

3/Feb.13 Order in the Ancient Period

Centrality and Sequence

Chinese Ritual and Japanese Site Design

Colddrake: "Architecture at Todaiji"'in The Great Eastern Temple: F. Mino ed.

Art Inst. Chicago 1986

Meyer: The Dragons of Tian. Beijing as a Sacred City

Ch1, Ch2 pp. 29 - 45

4/Feb. 20 Space-Time (Ma)/Psychological Center (Oku)

Maki: "Japanese City Spaces and the Concept of Oku"

Nitschke: "Ma-Space-Place-Void"

5/Feb 27 The Development of Space in Japanese Architecture

Inoe: Space in Japanese Architecture Ch 1-6

6/Mar. 5 The Evolution of Dwellings:Ancient, Medieval, and Feudal Residences and Gardens. Development of the Roji

Nishi/Hozumi: What is JapaneseArchitecture? PP.64 - 85, 105 - 133

Bring and Wayembergh:Japanese Gardens,pp. 2-10, 144-175

Keane:Japanese Garden Design,, pp.46-66

Hashimoto: Architecture in the Shoin Style (optionall)

7/Mar. 12 EXAM 1

8/Mar. 19 Review

Mar. 26 Spring Recess. No Classes (March 20 -28)

9/ Apr.2 Evolution of Dwellings and Gardens (Continued) Machiya: The Japanese Townhouse.

Bognar: "The Place of No - Thingness: The Japanese House and the Oriental World view of the Japanese"

Itoh: Imperial Gardens of Japan pp 25-35 ("Sojourn in a Region of Repose")

Keane: Japanese Garden Design, pp. 68-82

10/Apr. 9 The Vernacular House

Spatial Order

Anatomical Order

Engel: Measure and Construction, pp. 13-146 Spatial Order

11/Apr. 16 The Modern Period. I

Architecture , Parks, and Gardens (1870 - 1940)

Nitschke: Japanese Gardens , pp. 247-279

Stewart, The Making of a Modern Japanese Architecture, T.B.A.

12/Apr. 23 The Modern Period. II (Post W.W. II - 1950 - 90)

Stewart, The Making of a Modern Japanese Architecture, T.B.A.

13/ Apr. 30 Exam II.

14/ May 7 Paper/ Project Due.

The Project/Paper: Some Guidelines

One requirement for this course is the completion of a project or a paper which is aninterpretive representation of some aspect of Japanese Architecture or Gardens which you have investigated. The following are just a brief set of suggestions. Choose any area which interests you and for which there is substantial material written in a language in which you are fluent.

The Project

The project should represent your exploration of a concept, form, characteristic or influence associated with Japanese architecture or gardens. The product of your exploration might be a model, device, instrument, container or similar three (or four) dimensional object which captures and expresses your interpretation of the subject. Materials, workmanship, textures, etc. should relate to what you understand about these qualities from the lectures, the readings and your own research.

The Paper

Topics for the paper might:

relate to specific concepts embodied in unique attributes such as shakkei, oku, wabi, layering, shin/gyo/so, roji, Sukiya style, Zen and/or Meiji influences, and the like.

explore the architecture or gardens of a particular period, such as that produced during Heian times.

compare designs of different periods.

investigate contemporary design or designers--Ando, Kurokawa, Suzuki, for example.

examine different aspects of Japanese culture, such as Noh, Kabuki Bunraku, or Ikebana for their insights into architectural and garden design.

research an architecture or garden type such as the castle, the pagoda, the noh theater, the tea garden.