Abstract
In this preliminary study, it is shown that in Japanese Zen-style 禅宗様 structures, their roofs can be divided into five different structural types: Kōzanji Buddha Hall-style 功山寺仏殿型; Eihojikanondō-style 永保寺観音堂型; Ankokujikyōzō-Saionji Buddha Hall-style 安国寺経蔵 − 最恩寺仏殿型; Fusaiji Buddha Hall-style 普済寺仏殿型 and Engakuji Buddha Hall (ancient figure)-style 円覚寺仏殿 (古図) 型. All of these five types can be very similar to the structures found in the Liangzhe area in China but none of these is exactly the same. The roof structure and the ceiling under it is the most important difference. This paper aims to analyze and classify the roof structures found in Zen-style Buddha halls. It begins by introducing the structural types of this style; secondly, it classifies the roof structures by their construction principles; finally, it observes the relationships among structural types and roof frameworks.
As a conclusion, this study has found two main results:
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1.
Some common principles can be identified in Zen-style roof frameworks.
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2.
There are three different basic modes in a Zen-style roof structure.
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Notes
- 1.
Most of the roof structures have been repaired in the Meiji period and not many records have survived. Fortunately, some of them were only repaired in recent times, and this time extensive studies were conducted by Japanese researchers before repaired them, including the condition of the original roof structures. Therefore, we can get some important clues from their reports regarding the restoration work.
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Documentation Related to Temple Restoration Works
The Japanese Association for the Conservation of Architectural Monuments (ed.): 財団法人文化財建造物保存技術協会: Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Buddha Hall of the Senpukuji Temple 重要文化財泉福寺仏殿保存修理工事報告書 (2008)
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The Japanese Association for the Conservation of Architectural Monuments 文化財建造物保存技術協会 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Kaisandō and Kannondō of Eihōji Temple 国宝永保寺開山堂及び観音堂保存修理工事報告書 (2012)
Bunkazaikenkyūkai, W. 和歌山県文化財研究会 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Zenpuku'in Shakadō 国宝善福院釈迦堂修理工事報告書 (1974)
The Japanese Association for the Conservation of Architectural Monuments 文化財建造物保存技術協会 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Kōzanji Buddha Hall 国宝功山寺仏殿修理工事報告書 (1985)
Center for Cultural Properties, Wakayama Prefecture 和歌山県文化財センター (ed.): Report on the Restoration Work at the Chōrakuji Buddha Hall: an Important Cultural Property 重要文化財長楽寺仏殿修理工事報告書 (1996)
Shiga Prefectural Board of Education 滋賀県教育委員会事務局文化財保護課 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Issaikyōzō (kyōdō) and the Jikidō (Shakadō) of Onjyōji Temple, an Important Cultural Property designated by the Japanese Government 重要文化財園城寺一切経蔵(経堂)・食堂(釈迦堂)保存修理工事報告書 (2012)
Preservation Society of Seihakuji Buddha Hall 国宝清白寺仏殿保存会 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at the Seihakuji Buddha Hall 国宝清白寺仏殿修理工事報告書 (1958)
Restoration Committee of the Dōshunji Kannondō 重要文化財洞春寺観音堂修理委員会 (ed.): Documentation on the Restoration Work at Dōshunji Kannondō 重要文化財洞春寺観音堂修理工事報告書 (1951)
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Lin, L. (2021). Roof Structure of Japanese Zen-Style Buddha Halls. In: Xu, S., Aoki, N., Vieira Amaro, B. (eds) East Asian Architecture in Globalization. EAAC 2017. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75937-7_38
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