Wayō
Encyclopedia
is the name given to a style developed in art and architecture in Japan during the Heian period
, mainly by the esoteric sects Tendai
and Shingon. Together with Zenshūyō and Daibutsuyō
, it is one of the three most significant styles developed by Japanese Buddhism on the basis of Chinese models.
The name was coined later, during the Kamakura period
when the other two styles were born. Because by then the style was considered to be native, the term started to be used to distinguish older styles from those just arrived from China. It was characterized by simplicity, refrain for ornamentation, use of natural timber and in general plain materials. Structurally, it was distinguished by a main hall
divided in two parts, an outer area for novices and an inner area for initiates, a hip-and-gable
roof covering both areas, a raised wooden floor instead of the tile or stone floors of earlier temples, extended eaves to cover the front steps; shingles or bark rather than tile roofing; and a disposition of the shichidō garan
adapting to the natural environment, rather than following the traditional symmetrical layouts.
During the Heian period temples were built using only non-penetrating tie beams made to fit around columns and pillars and nailed. The daibutsuyō style, first, and the zenshūyō style, later, replaced them with penetrating tie-beams , which actually pierced the column, and were therefore much more effective against earthquakes. The nageshi was however retained as a purely decorative element.
Temples in this style, uninfluenced by the later styles, can be found mostly in the Kansai
region, and particularly in Nara
.
, the combination of wayō with elements of the daibutsuyō
style became so frequent that sometimes it is called by scholars .
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
, mainly by the esoteric sects Tendai
Tendai
is a Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism, a descendant of the Chinese Tiantai or Lotus Sutra school.Chappell frames the relevance of Tendai for a universal Buddhism:- History :...
and Shingon. Together with Zenshūyō and Daibutsuyō
Daibutsuyō
is a Japanese religious architectural style which emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century. Together with Wayō and Zenshūyō, it is one of the three most significant styles developed by Japanese Buddhism on the basis of Chinese models....
, it is one of the three most significant styles developed by Japanese Buddhism on the basis of Chinese models.
The name was coined later, during the Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
when the other two styles were born. Because by then the style was considered to be native, the term started to be used to distinguish older styles from those just arrived from China. It was characterized by simplicity, refrain for ornamentation, use of natural timber and in general plain materials. Structurally, it was distinguished by a main hall
Main Hall (Japanese Buddhism)
Main hall is the term used in English for the building within a Japanese Buddhist temple compound which enshrines the main object of veneration. Because the various denominations deliberately use different terms, this single English term translates several Japanese words, among them Butsuden,...
divided in two parts, an outer area for novices and an inner area for initiates, a hip-and-gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
roof covering both areas, a raised wooden floor instead of the tile or stone floors of earlier temples, extended eaves to cover the front steps; shingles or bark rather than tile roofing; and a disposition of the shichidō garan
Shichidō garan
is a Japanese Buddhist term indicating the seven halls composing the ideal Buddhist temple compound. This compound word is composed by the word , literally meaning "seven halls", and , meaning "temple". The term is often shortened to just garan. To which seven halls the term refers to varies, and...
adapting to the natural environment, rather than following the traditional symmetrical layouts.
During the Heian period temples were built using only non-penetrating tie beams made to fit around columns and pillars and nailed. The daibutsuyō style, first, and the zenshūyō style, later, replaced them with penetrating tie-beams , which actually pierced the column, and were therefore much more effective against earthquakes. The nageshi was however retained as a purely decorative element.
Temples in this style, uninfluenced by the later styles, can be found mostly in the Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...
region, and particularly in Nara
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
.
Shin-Wayō
During the Muromachi periodMuromachi period
The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate, which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, two years after the brief Kemmu restoration of imperial...
, the combination of wayō with elements of the daibutsuyō
Daibutsuyō
is a Japanese religious architectural style which emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century. Together with Wayō and Zenshūyō, it is one of the three most significant styles developed by Japanese Buddhism on the basis of Chinese models....
style became so frequent that sometimes it is called by scholars .
See also
- Japanese Buddhist architecture - Heian period
- DaibutsuyōDaibutsuyōis a Japanese religious architectural style which emerged in the late 12th or early 13th century. Together with Wayō and Zenshūyō, it is one of the three most significant styles developed by Japanese Buddhism on the basis of Chinese models....
- SetchūyōSetchūyōis an architectural style born in Japan during the Muromachi period from the fusion of elements from three different antecedent styles, namely the wayō, the daibutsuyō and zen'yō. It is exemplified by the main hall at Kakurin-ji. The combination of wayō and daibutsuyō in particular became so...
- Zenshūyō