Case Studies of Envioromental Designs on Historical Areas (V)

On Desiglls of Road Settillgs by Old Japanese, before 7th century

Abstract

This study concerns with fundamental analysis of old Japanese landscape design.
Already, certain studies on this subjects were taken to research them in old Japanese literature, such as Koji-Ki, Nihon-Shoki or Manyo-Shu, about their descriptions of nature and ladscape.
As results, their execellent feelings on nature and ladscape were appointed.
Nevertheless, such studies to correct above knowledges by site research works, should be necessary.
This is the purpose of this study, named “Case Studies on Designs of Road Setting by Historical Old Japanese”.
In 1st century A. D. Japanese King's Government contacted 'Hang Empire, and was afforded Gold Stamp to rank Japan as a first class state of hers.
In these ages, Chinese civilizations were introduced do Japan, and her agricultural revolutions had great progress.
This revolution affected on Japanese political conditions to break her such big central government as to send hundreds officers to 'Hang Empire.
In 3rd century, Japanese had an agricultural society of Yabadai Queen's Kingdom.
In 4th century, Yamato-Chotei Government succeeded to coquer most of Japan islands, and storaged her force to occupy southern part of Xorean peninsula by her agricultural civilization.
This civilization had technical foundations of civil engineerings, such as constructions of the biggest tomb on the earth.
With these backgrounds, highway constructions inthese age had great progress.
Socially, central governmert needed radical highway network from her Capital to controll her people, wealth and military forces; and technically above network had posibility by her engineering ability.
After 7th century, this old network was changed by Jo-Ri system networks under policies of Taikano-Kaishin; but a little of them remains now, 20th century.
For examples, one is Utahime-Kaido connecting Asuka, Heijo, Tanabe, Yodo and Oinosaka (Otokuni), shown in Koji-Ki.
One is Kamitsu-Michi, connecting Asuka, Narazaka, Uji, Daigo and Ohsakayama, shown in Koji-Ki and Dan-Pi Uji,
One is Takeuchi-Kaido, connecting also Asuka, Taima, Furuichi and Sumiyoshi harbour.
Studying them, below results are understood in this research work to analyze Japanese landscape design feelings, in such old days as 6th or 7th century.
1) Highway construction principles, mostly stands on natural topographical rules; so as to avold low wet land in old days, to choice narrow portions of rivers for crossings and so on.
2) Under above principles, they show zigzag forms with vistas to ladmark hills.
3) This tendecy of landmark consideration should affected on the construction of historic Japanese Capitals, Asuka-Kyo or Heian-Kyo, in their central axis Suzaku-Oji.
4) Also we have this tendency in the case of Asian new city construction as Islamabad in Pakistan, with central landmark of Shakarparian Hill.