Japanese Synopsis:

Special Architectural Terms:

Shinden Style - original Japanese architecure, adapted to native taste (circa 11th century)

"Aware" - transcience of life as reflected in the season, the sense of the passing sadness of things

Hiragana - the distinctive Japanese calligraphic style

Zen - influence: Tea Ceremony, ink painting, character-calligraphy, the Incense Ceremony (kodo), the No drama, austeer gravel and rock gardens - "aware" aesthetic ideals of wabi (austerity), "sabi" (the effect of natural age, rust), and the descendent of these concepts "shibui" (astrigent taste).

Shoin-zukuri - architectural style, late 15th cent., further Japanisation of the Shinden style, austere, simple, elegant, and flexible