Oriental Architecture: Japan

A.: Would you mind discussing traditional Japanese architecture?

B.: I don't mind. Recently I've looked through many interesting books on it.

A.: So have I.I would like to compare my observations and yours.

B.: Japanese architecture is of timber construction exclusively. It developed under the strong influence of China, didn't it?

A.: I am absolutely positive. By the way, there are pavilion-like structures, consisting of a wooden framework of uprights and tie beams.

B.: Certainly, they are supported by a platform, with non-bearing plaster or wood panel walls and sliding partitions.

A.: Doors and windows are of lightweight material-often paper. Proportions of floor dimensions, height and length of walls follow fixed standards.

B.: To all this must be added this: the principle of the truss was never exploited in Japan and thus the width of buildings was controlled by the length of timber available.

A.: But you haven’t mentioned when Japanese architecture originated. This was in the 5^th century AD. Here are couples of words about the tiled hipped roofs which are widely protecting and upward-turning. They are on elaborate bracket systems. It’s interesting what do you know about Japanese architectural beauty?

B.: It has been basically the beauty of nonornamentation from the very beginning. If I am not mistaking, the ancient Japanese did not value symmetry as much as other nations did.

A.: Yes, really. And great emphasis was put on the integration of buildings, the verandahs providing the transition.

B.: Would you like to tell me about such styles as Shinden style, Nagare style, Shion style or Shimmei style?

A.: I have no idea. Let’s talk about Katsura.

B.: OK. It was a detached palace for imperial princes of Japan, located in Kyoto. The grounds contain numerous buildings.

A.: In one of them there is a famous tea room noted for its unusually good lighting. Its magnificent gardens and the buildings are superbly interrelated.

B.: I have no idea. Thank you.

A.: Don't mention it…

B.: See you soon!

A.: Till next time.

Exercise 8. Ask your friend 10 questions on the topic:' Oriental Architecture', which you think will give us the answers to complete the idea of the topic.

Lesson 5. The Renaissance.

Exercise1. Read and pronounce correctly the following words:

Plan, plane plain; altar, alter; some, same, came; for, four; data, date; in, inn; by, buy; than, then, them, theme; face, faith, phase; wall, well, will; white, wide; very, vary; age, edge; through, though; us, use; but, butt; court, caught.

Exercise 2. Find in the text the words which have the following prefixes: re-, un-, in- and the following suffixes: -(e)s,- ed, -al, -ic,-(i)an, -ish, -ist, -ism, -ize, -ate, -th, -ing, -ant, -ly, -ion. Name the root of these words and translate them.

Exercise 3. Translate the following word-combinations:

Reconstruction methods, Mannerist phase, interior length, Rococo design, plan realization, acanthus foliation, land use plan, city wall system, plan formulation period, column base molding, wood frame house, drawing room ceiling detail.

Exercise 4. Find in the text words, which have the same root in Ukrainian .

Exercise 5. Words for the text comprehension:

adopt	прийняти, засвоїти, перейняти
assumption	прийняття, припущення
austere	суровий, строгий, аскетичний
common	загальний, спільний
to have (much, little ,nothing) common in (with)	мати (мало, багато, нічого) спільного з ...
courtyard	внутрішній двір
demolish	руйнувати, зносити
diamond studding	фацетируваний руст
expance	простір, протяжність
ground plan	план першого поверху
high altar	головний престол
inner	внутрішній
outer	зовнішній
upper	горішній
lantern	лантерна, ліхтар, верхнє світло
lay-out (v)	планувати
lay-out (n)	генеральний план
skill	майстерність
staircase	сходи

Exercise 6. Read and translate text A, use the dictionary;

a) read paragraphs or sentences which posses general information;

b) read those sentences which posses concrete information.