Some notes on Heian architecture and its effects on everyday life

[rushthatspeaks]

I thought I'd add a couple of notes on architecture and palace layout. Sources and bibliography available on request, but be aware that I essentially majored in this sort of thing and therefore decided not to start reccing Japanese architecture books without anyone asking because I would be totally unable to stop

Comments

[telophase]

When the emperor processed, i.e. formally made a move from place to place as opposed to casual visits, visits to women etc., a small army of servants would precede him moving all the screens so that he would simply have a hallway in front of him in whichever direction he happened to be walking; if you lived along that line, you had to get out of the way, but you were generally given warning of the emperor processing well in advance.

I would love to see a scene like this in a movie - choreographed correctly, it could be quite wonderful. XD

I second the request for recs - after working in a school of architecture, it's become one of the things that fascinate me.

[kate_nepveu]

It really is a very arresting image, isn't it? I bet you could do it really well in anime, except it might not be clear at first that it was literal. =>

[telophase]

And I suspect all the rearranging was done well before the emperor stood up and walked, but if I were making the movie, I'd do it all with attendants scurrying around bent double, sliding screens away in front of him and replacing them in back, while he walked on, seemingly ignoring them.

[kate_nepveu]

Pre_cise_ly.

[tekalynn]

Makes me think of _The Madness of King George_: "Chop chop! The King, the King!"

[aranel]

Yes, I was imagining an aerial view of this before I read your comment!