A Study on the Relation between Visual Field and Arrangement of Physical Objects

Abstract

This study tried to examine the relation between visual field and arrangement of physical objects. Main halls of big temples in Heijo kyo, Amitabha's halls in Jodotype gardens, two famous shrines' torii-gates and worship halls, and rocks in the rock garden of Ryoanji temple were selected to measure their visual angles from main view points. Those angles were compared with visual field of man and analyzed in respect of the meaning or status of those objects and view points.
Through this analysis, some features about arrangement of physical objects were found. For example, some objects to keep their dignity are paired with the view points from where bigger visual angles are given. But at main view points, those visual angles do not exceed the maximum of angles for normal viewing. Others to keep picturesque or “the holy side” apply smaller visual angles, which are near angles suitable for gazing.