Japan: Notable Architects and their Architecture

574 - 622 - Prince Shotoku: Horyuji Monastery (All Facts)

• Established during the reign of Empress Suiko

• Located in Nara, it was the seat of Buddhist power in Japan, especially by and during the Nara period

• Known for its five-tiered pagoda and octagonal “Pavilion of Dreams”

688 - 763 - Jianzhen / Gaijin: Toshodaiji Temple (All Facts)

• Located in Nara, it was a Buddhist Temple

• It has a center of studies and ordination platform for the namesake architect

700s - Todai-ji Temple (All Facts)

• Built during the reign of Shomu

• Located in Nara, Japan

• It features the well-known “Daibutsu Buddha” (Daibutsuden)

• It was burnt down in fighting in 1567

700s - Daibutsu Buddha (All Facts)

• Built during the reign of Shomu

• Located in Nara, Japan

• It is included in the well-known “Todai-ji Temple”

788 / 1642 - Saicho: Enryakuji Temple (All Facts)

• Was home to a large number of soldier-monks

Shosoin (All Facts)

• House of the treasure of Emperor Shomu built near the Toshodaiji Temple in Nara

• In it were many objects which travelled the Silk Road from the Near East including

  • Silk Kimonos

  • Lacquered vessels

  • Musical instruments

  • Swords

  • Furniture

  • Items used in dramatic performances

1052 - Byodo-in Temple (All Facts)

• Built during the rule of Fujiwara no Yorimichi

• It features the “Amitabha Buddha” by Jocho in its “Phoenix Hall” (depicted)

• Its delicacy of ornament is typical of the Fujiwara culture

1164 - Sanjūsangen-dō Temple (All Facts)

• Located in Kyoto

• Contains 1,001 gilded wooded status of the Japanese deity Kannon

Ashikaga Shogunate Period (All Facts)

• Historical Period of Japan during which painters followed previous traditions such as continuous narrative scrolls

• However, renewal of contact with China and Korea during this period introduced new techniques into its painting

1450 - Ryōan-ji Temple (All Facts)

• Zen Buddhist Temple in Kyoto with a garden of contemplation, which was laid out on its grounds

• Its garden was a haven of tranquility

• Its garden is oblong and contains 15 rocks of varying sizes arranged in an abstract composition on a bed of carefully raked white sand

1483 - Ginkaku Temple (All Facts)

1579 - 1582 - Azuchi Castle (All Facts)

• Stone castle built and demolished shortly after the reign of Oda Nobunaga

• Castle which overlooked Lake Biwa

• Castle which was erected as a barrier to invaders from the eastern provinces

• Castle which was not only a fortress but was also a place of elegance, which, as regards architecture, strength, wealth and grandeur was the equal of anything in Europe

• Castle which was surrounded by immensely strong walls

• Castle which made entirely of wood and was richly painted in various colors

• Castle which was surrounded by exquisite houses decorated with gold

• Castle which lay beneath it a prosperous town which was built to serve the castle’s defenders

1580s - Honnō-ji Temple (All Facts)

• Site of Oda Nobunaga’s assassination

1586 - Hokoji Temple (All Facts)

• Temple constructed to house the rebuilt Great Image of the Buddha after it was previously destroyed

• Temple built in Kyoto during the reign of Toyotomi Hideyoshi

1333 / 1618 - Himeji Castle (All Facts)

1620 - Katsura Imperial Villa (All Facts)

• Built in Kyoto, on the banks of the namesake river, which supplies the water for the ponds and streams in its gardens