Ancient East Asia: Monumentality and Impermanence

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (Miyajama) 16th century (based on 12th century design)

Shinto Shrine (Naiku – the Inner Shrine) at Ise Japan, 1st cen. -

Shinto – animistic belief system indigenous to Japan

I. The Shinto Shrine site: making sacred space in nature A. Degrees of integration (and non-integration) with the natural environment

The Inner Shrine (Naiku) in the Ise Forest

N

1.2.

I. A. 1. Isuzu River and bridges

I. A. 2. Torii (gates) and paths

First torii gate at Ise

I. A. 2. Torii (gates) and paths

The Ise sacred cryptomeria forest

3.4.

I. A. 2.

The Mitarashi – part of the river bank set aside for ablutions.

I. B. Ritual and design: in what ways does the design enhance the sense of reverence in paying homage to the deity?

Approaching the Shinto Shrine

I. B. 1. Partial revelation – How is the sacred only partially revealed?

Shinto Shrine at Ise

I. A. 2. Spatial segregation – How is the boundary of sacred shrine marked?

Four wood fences around the Shinto Shrine at Ise

I. B. 3. Threshold: How is the drama augmented?

Shinto Shrine at Ise

Shinto Shrine at Ise

II. The Shinto Deity Hall as an architecture of impermanence for an animistic religion

Shinto shrine with a new shrine ready

II. A.

Shinto Shrine at Ise

Shelter for heart pillar Shelter for heart pillar

II. A. Ritual rebuilding: first documented “recreation” of the main shrine at Ise was in A.D. 690; rebuilt for the 61st time in 1993.

Shinto Shrine at Ise

II. B. 2. How are the materials treated?II. B. Building materials and construction – 1. Hinoki trees (Japanese white cypress).

Shinto Shrine at Ise

profane space

boundary

sacred space

marker of cosmic axis

Shinto Shrine at Ise

III. Eliade’s concepts of sacred and profane space (cosmos vs. chaos)

threshold

III. A. Where is the idea of a cosmic center or pillar present at Ise?

Shinto Shrine at Ise

axis mundi – axis of the world, a cosmic axis

III. B. Where does the profane end and the sacred begin at the Ise shrine?

Shinto Shrine at Ise

IV. The Shinto Deity Hall as monumental architecture A. Typology: What building types does the architectural form of the deity hall resemble?

Bronze mirror with design of houses, late 4th centuryIse Deity Hall, side elevation

IV. A.

Japanese dwelling types in the Kofun period (A.D. 250-538)

Elevated elite dwelling with distinctive roof and rear balcony

Elevated storehouses or granaries

IV. B. Formal analysis of the deity hall as a goddess’s dwelling1. elevation on posts

Shinto Shrine at Ise

plan

IV. B. 2. veranda

Shinto Shrine at Ise

The Shoden (deity hall)

IV. B. 3. roof ridge and ten cylinder billets (katsuogi)

“Haniwa” clay house, grave object

Ise Deity House, elevation

Shinto Shrine at Ise

The Shoden (deity hall)

IV. B. 4. extended rafters (chigi)

Shinto Shrine at Ise

IV. C. How do the architecture and the ritual building convey monumentality (reflecting political authority) despite the impermanent materials?

Shinto Shrine at IsePolitician Ichiro Osawa at Ise

Shinto religion(animistic religion/metabolic architecture)

Ritual

Politics

Architectural theory

Anthropology of space(sacred v. profane)