Traditional architecture: Traditional residential architecture in Japan is perhaps best viewed as a response to the natural environment. Traditional Japan was a primarily agricultural society, centering on the activities associated with rice planting. A feeling of cooperation developed between the Japanese and their surroundings. Instead of resistance or defense, accommodation and adaptation became the basic stance. Traditional Japanese architecture is characterized by the same attitude toward the natural environment, responding in particular to climatic and geographical conditions. Japan’s climate is distinguished by hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, and the Japanese house has evolved accordingly to make the summers more bearable. The traditional Japanese house was raised slightly off the ground and the interior opened up to allow the unrestricted movement of air around and below the living spaces.
The development of individual spaces within the house was a gradual process of breaking larger open space that was available into smaller, more human-scaled spaces. Individual rooms were later defined by shoji and fusuma (sliding doors) that could still be removed to form a single large space. The design of a Japanese style house is very unique. The structure of traditional houses of Japan is something you wouldn’t find in western countries.
Materials and Construction: The choice of building materials has been determined by the climate, wood being preferred to stone. Stone is uncomfortable and unhealthy in hot, humid weather, restricting airflow and closing off the structure; it also requires a longer period of time in preparing materials and in building. In contrast, wood responds more sensitively to the climate, being much cooler and absorbing moisture in summer and not as cold to the touch in winter. Wood is also more suited to withstand earthquakes, frequent occurrence in Japan. So, the use of wood in houses helps the Japanese people to absorb the shock of earthquakes.
