THE EMPERIAL KATSURA PALACE,

KYOTO, JAPAN

AAR 502 - ASIAN AND ISLAMIC

ARCHITECTURELECTURER : DR. SUZANA BINTI SAID

PREPARED BY : MUSAHIDDIN BIN MD ZAINAL

The Imperial Villa of Katsura Rikyu is known for the impressive gardens designed by Kobori Enshu in collaboration with Prince Toshihito.

Architect : Kobori EnshuConstruction System : Wood timber frame with tile roofsStyle : Traditional Japanese

KATSURA HISTORY• The construction of the Katsura Villa and grounds near Tokyo were

commissioned by the princes Toshihito (1579 – 1629) and Toshitada (1619 – 1662) of the Hachijo Imperial Family and built in three main stages starting in 1615 over a period of roughly fifty years.

• This extraordinary building also reflects the disciplines of Zen Buddhism, which arrived in Japan during the 13th century: simplicity, restrain, and the elimination of all unnecessary detail.

• These disciplines led to the common language of symbolism between man and nature, to tastes that cost nothing and were enjoyed collectively, and to the Japanese use of space as a physical expression of such taste.

(Books: Introduction to Architecture, Stephen Gardiner)

KATSURA LAYOUT

The Imperial Katsura Palace,Kyoto reflecting the zenith of Japanese architecture, reflects the harmonies discovered between the building, landscape, and materials and the infinite possibilities of asymmetry and flexibility..

CONSTRUCTIONAs an aristocratic house, Katsura should follow absolutely the kiwari method, which was based on a module – the length of span between posts measured from the center of each post – which determined the proportions of connecting beams, rafters, lintels and other visible parts of the frame.

Traditional Japanese Style1. Tatami modular layout2. Marriage of House & Garden

Main Building includes three attached structure

3. Ko-Shoin (Old Hall)4. Chu-Shoin (Middle Hall)5. Shin-Goten (New Hall)

SOURCES

Web Sites: • http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/japan/kyoto/kat

sura.php• http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Imperial_Vi

lla_Katsura.html

Books : • Introduction to Architecture, Stephen Gardiner• History of Architecture Stonehange to Skyscrapers, Dora P, Crouch