Eva, Your son may be correct on some things he may have told you. Please don't let what I say here as gospel; our trip to Nikko was in 1981, and my memory may be playing tricks on me; not the first time.
I was sure our guide told us about the "Chinese" architecture, but the following is all I can find.
The Shomen Karamon and the Haimen Karamon, constructed in 1636, have not changed from the original, except for the roofing materials which were replaced for maintenance reasons. In particular, the Shomen Karamon shows skillful workmanship in its structure and decoration; the four eaves projections were designed into cusped gables after a Chinese fashion and the engraved works designed in woven patterns, the inlaid works and the copper sculptures on the roof are unquestionably masterpieces of decoration.
This might be what I heard, and put that in my memory bank as speaking for the whole Nikko complex, and we know that's not true.
You made me curious, c.i., so I googled it.
"The buildings date to the early 1600s, the early Edo Period. They were constructed by the greatest architects and architects of the 17th century."
From my docent studies at the art museum here, I know art from the Edo Period is considered "the most Japanese of all Japanese art." Japan cut itself off from outside influences during this time, so the resulting style was purely Japanese (or as pure as it can get.) Tokugawa Ieyasu, who founded Nikko and whose mausoleum is located there, left instructions that a simple shrine should be built honoring him. A few decades later, however, one of his descendents built the much more elaborate shrine that exists today.
I am still curious how buildings from this particular period could be considered "Chinese." I am looking for further references.
Seems, the Japanese, especially in Nikko, built during that period using a Chinese style of architecture.
Eva, This is the best resource I can find on Nikko. The above article was taken from this site.
http://www.city.nikko.lg.jp/kankou/shaji/english/regist/const_2.htm
Eva, This article clears it up for me. This is the gate we were passing through when our guide told us it was "Chinese."
But the central showpiece of Nikko is Yomeimon Gate, popularly known as the Twilight Gate, implying that it could take you all day (until twilight) to see everything carved on it. Painted in red, blue, and green, and gilded and lacquered, this gate is carved with about 400 flowers, dragons, birds, and other animals. It's almost too much to take in at once and is very un-Japanese in its opulence, having more in common with Chinese architecture than with the usual austerity of most Japanese shrines.
man o man. This is why I love a2k.
Joe(i learn something every day)Nation
That's good information, c.i.
I found it interesting that it began with this paragraph:
The Toshogu Shrine was built in 1617 as the mausoleum of the Tokugawa Ieyasu. The main shrine buildings were built by the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu in 1636. Building of the Toshogu represented the climax of the Gongen-zukuri style which characterizes Japanese shrine architecture. Skills of the highest level available at the time were applied to the architectural decoration such as carvings and coloring. Eight buildings such as the honden (main hall), the Ishi-no-ma (stone hall), the haiden (worship hall), and the Yomei-mon (tower gateway) have been designated as National Treasures, whereas further thirty-four buildings as Important Cultural Properties.
While one structure is described as having "four eaves projections...designed...after a Chinese fashion," there are several other notations about Japanese architectural styles.
I think it would be a mistake to assume that anything heavily decorated or embellished would necessarily be "Chinese." Japanese style is often simple and understated, but not always. We have many Japanese scrolls and screens at the museum here, and some of them are quite elaborate.
Eva and CI
I love it when A2Kers share their travel experiences with those of us who are unable to travel.
BBB
I believe this is a picture of that gate.
This is the picture I took of the three "famous" monkeys on the stable.
Thanks, Joe(helpful)Nation. I use Photobucket, and this is the first time (since this week) it's no longer working properly.
Great photo! I wish SonofEva had taken more close-up shots.
I'm off to check out ImageShack now.
The three monkeys. *Sorry, but I had to use another photo web site to post on a2k.
Here's the middle school stairs that soz and I talked about.
