Shoin Style

is a style of Japanese architecture developed in the Muromachi, Azuchi–Momoyama and Edo periods that forms the basis of today's traditional-style Japanese houses. Characteristics of the development were the incorporation of square posts and floors, i.e. those completely covered with tatami.Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan, entry for "shoin-zukuri". The style takes its name from the , a term that originally meant a study and a place for lectures on ''sutras'' in a temple, but which later came to mean just a drawing room or study.

History

The foundations for the design of today's traditional Japanese residential houses with tatami floors were established in the late Muromachi period (approximately 1338 to 1573) and refined during the ensuing Momoyama period. , a new architectural style influenced by Zen Buddhism, developed during that time from the of the earlier Heian period's palaces and the subsequent residential style favored by the warrior class during the Kamakura period. The term , meaning study or drawing room has been used to denote reception rooms in residences of the military elite as well as study rooms at monasteries. A has a core area surrounded by aisles and smaller areas separated by '' fusuma'' sliding doors, or ''shōji'' partitions constructed of paper on a wooden frame or wooden equivalents, and .

The main reception room is characterized by specific features: a recessed alcove (''tokonoma''), staggered shelves, built-in desks, and ornate sliding doors. Generally the reception room is covered with wall-to-wall ''tatami'' and has square beveled pillars, a coved or coffered ceiling, and . The entrance hall (''genkan'') emerged as an element of residential architecture during the Momoyama period. The oldest extant style building is the Tōgu-dō at Ginkaku-ji dating from 1485. Other representative examples of early style, also called ''shuden'', include two guest halls at Mii-dera. In the early Edo period, reached its peak and spread beyond the residences of the military elite. The more formal ''shoin-style'' of this period is apparent in the characteristics of Ninomaru Palace at Nijō Castle as well as the at Nishi Hongan-ji (see photos above).

Conrad Totman argues that the development of the style was linked to a scarcity of wood caused by excessive deforestation, which prompted the use of lower-quality, more abundant material. As larger, straight-grained trees became less available, "elegant wooden flooring gave way to crude wooden under-flooring that was concealed beneath ''tatami''." Likewise, sliding wooden doors were replaced with ''fusuma'', a lightweight combination of "stiff fabric or cardboard-like material pasted onto a frame made of slender wooden sticks," and ''shōji'' sliding panels served as a substitute for more elaborate paneled wooden doors.

The simpler style used in the architecture of tea houses for the tea ceremony developed in parallel with '. In the 16th century Sen no Rikyū established dedicated style teahouses characterized by their small size of typically two to eight ''tatami'', the use of natural materials, and rustic appearance. This teahouse style, exemplified by the Joan and Taian teahouses, was influenced by Japanese farmhouse style and the style featuring tatami matted floors, recessed alcoves (tokonoma) and one or more ante chambers for preparations.

Sukiya-zukuri

By the beginning of the Edo period, the features of the and
teahouse styles began to blend. The result was an informal version of the style called . The style has a characteristic decorative alcove and shelf, and utilizes woods such as cedar, pine, hemlock, bamboo, and cypress, often with rough surfaces including the bark. Compared to those in the style, roof eaves in the ''sukiya'' style bend downward. While the style was suitable for ceremonial architecture, it became too imposing for residential buildings. Consequently, the less formal ''sukiya'' style was used for mansions for the aristocracy and samurai after the beginning of the Edo period.

See also

*List of National Treasures of Japan (residences)
* List of architectural styles

Notes

References

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shoin-Zukuri
House styles
Japanese architectural styles
Buddhism in the Muromachi period
Buddhism in the Azuchi–Momoyama period