Wooden buildings burn

     

image: Lee Jin-man/AP

Japanese castles have long suffered from the threat of fire. Hardly a bombshell, but keep in mind that any one of the precious remaining Edo-period towers, turrets or gates could go up in flames tomorrow.

In early 2008, South Korea’s top national treasure, the 600-year-old Namdaemun Gate, was set fire to. (see attached photo for the gory details or read about it).

Due to the frightening regularity with which these buildings burnt to the ground, counter-measures were of course developed. Perhaps the biggest innovation was the introduction of the white plastered walls & eaves (roof overhang). The result being a highly fire-resistant and some say, more visually appealing building.

1: The heavily plastered eaves of Takamatsu’s Tsukimi Turret. I admit, I thought it was concrete. 2: Freshly re- plastered. The Ushitora Turret’s eaves feature a beautiful undulation. 3: The technique exposed. Bamboo was tied together then smothered with mud, then plaster.
4: Kumamoto is a classic two-tone castle. The walls have large wooden panels with eaves of white plaster. 5: Even the blackest of castles utilised plastered eaves. Click on the picture to get a better look. 6: I snapped this pic at Kokura castle. Its main tower was lost to fire in 1866 (but not to smoking).

When I first started visiting castles & saw these smooth, whitened eaves, I was convinced they were trying to pull my leg. I mean, old, wooden buildings are wooden, right?

  • Pictures 1&2: These turrets were both built in the latter 1600′s but there is something undeniably modern about their contours. What do you think?
  • Picture 3: The rough edges of this turret us how they were constructed. Over the top of a wooden frame, bamboo pieces are tired together then filled with mud. Finally, the white plaster was applied.
  • Picture 4: Exposed wood paneling is an identifying feature of Kumamoto Castle. Even here, the upper sections of walls & eaves are plastered.
  • Picture 5: The renowned black castle of Okayama. The main tower was rebuilt using concrete, but it is a faithful replica. The white, concrete eaves were once plastered.
  • Picture 6: Could this have been the answer? I’d love to hear your thoughts?

  • http://chaari.wordpress.com Toranosuke

    Like the Namdaemun a few years ago, or the Kinkakuji back in the 1950s, the potential for old wooden buildings to be lost to fire has certainly not gone away, as you so rightly remind us (I myself had an “oh, yeah” moment, and had been in need of reminding).

    I remember being confused when I myself first learned that Japanese castles, with their white walls and impressive stone foundations, were made primarily of wood. That plaster sure doesn’t look like wood…

    Of course, another key element of the efforts to make buildings fire-resistant was the use of tile roofs, instead of wood or bark shingles or thatch.

    Yet another excellent post! I’m really enjoying learning about the architectural elements that went into castle construction.

  • admin

    Thanks once again for your thoughts Toranosuke.

    The Kinkakuji. This came as quite a shock to me when I first heard. Several things came to mind:
    Shock – It’s rebuilt.
    Disappointment – I just missed it by 50 years.
    Surprise – My parents were born prior to it burning down.
    Awe – It remains truly stunning.

    As for other elements of fire-resistant buildings, thank you. I already have a “roofs” post being cooked up in the back of my mind. Thanks for the encouraging comments also, I known these posts are hardly hard-hitting.

  • http://www.poolofzen.com コルーズ・真秀

    I guess I just never bothered to question ‘Why?’ the Castles had the plaster on them. I just figured it was nice way to decorate the place. I have to say that plaster is a pretty ingenious idea for a fire control technique. I can see why the artistry of the Kote-e would have blossomed and become a lucrative business for a time.

    http://community.japanese-castle-explorer.com/kote-e-the-plasterers-art/

    I suppose as far as exterior source it would be pretty successful. Unfortunately most of those fires back in the day were started by some resident knocking over there lantern. (or and invading force torching the place.)

    I would hope that most of the cultural properties in Japan have a well hidden fire suppressant system. I seem to remember seeing one at Kodaiji. It would be a shame if these places burnt to the ground like Korea…… What a shame.

    looking forward to see what mysteries about the roofs you unlock for us… Next thing you know you’ll be telling us the roof tiles were an early form of satellite TV reception.

  • admin

    Hey Pool, I’ve not been to the Kodaiji. What’s the set-up? I can easily imagine the firefighters of Kyōto drilling day-in and day-out should such a disaster strike there. If something did go up the country would be in mourning for decades I’m sure.

    Satellite TV? Don’t be silly. The next post’ll be about Oda Nobunaga’s jacuzzi on the top floor of Azuchi jō.