Further east an entirely contradictory tradition governs temple design, that of the columned prayer halls of Japan and China. The expression of this in China differs from that in Japan. The typical Chinese temple, whether Taoist or Buddhist, is basically symmetrical and rectangular. Through a gate-house, frequently vaulted, an outer court is entered, in which on either side of the main axis is a small tower, one con taining a drum and the other a bell. Directly opposite is the main prayer hall of the temple, with many columns, and a richly beamed and coffered ceiling. Against the back wall is a large pedestal, usually supporting three statues, and in front of it a table-like altar with its ritual utensils. In temples of Con fucius, a simple, richly decorated shrine replaces the statues. There is often, in addition, a court at the rear, with another hall shrine on its axis. In large groups, the number of courts and shrines is increased and additional halls at the sides of the courts serve the purpose of chapels. In Taoist temples, the most im portant shrine is sometimes in the centre of the court, and bell and drum towers are absent. There is also, at times, a long gal lery containing statues of the Soo Lohans, or holy men. The architectural character varies with the locality. Those in the north are full of the monumental grandeur of the Peking school, as in the temple of Confucius, or such monasteries in the western hills as that of Wo Fu Tsu (both of the Ming and subsequent dynasties). Those in the Yangtse valley are more picturesque, with exaggeratedly curved roofs, and slimmer supports, as in the 18th century Sheng Yan Sze monastery near Hangchow. In those in the south, granite supports replace the wooden columns found further north. Roof ridges are of extraordinary intricacy
and the wood carvings of the interiors exquisitely rich and deli cate, as in the 18th century temple of the Chen family in Canton.
In Japan the elaborate formality of the typical Chinese temple is absent. In fact, the native Shinto temples are based upon exceedingly primitive house ideas, and are simple, rectangular buildings with heavily thatched roofs. Architectural effect is gained, however, through the monumental torii or gateways which cross the main entrance paths. Many votive stone lanterns also decorate the grounds. In the Buddhist temples the halls them selves are based entirely on Chinese prototypes, but the detail is typically Japanese in its composition and its mannered realism, and roof and cornice details are endlessly varied. In disposition there is little attempt at absolute symmetry. Instead, there is a brilliant grasp of informal balance and composition, and a remarkable genius in adapting the exigencies of the plan to the picturesque hillside site so loved by the Japanese. Outstanding examples are the temples of the magnificent group at Nikko, largely of the I 7th century, and the Hong Wanji temple at Kyoto. The genius for placing temples is well seen in the island temples that dot the Inland sea, especially those of the sacred island of Itaku Shima, near Hiroshima, where the chief temple was founded in 587.
(See also CHINESE ARCHITECTURE ; EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE ; GREEK ARCHITECTURE ; INDIAN ARCHITECTURE ; JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE ; RELIGIOUS AND MEMORIAL ARCHITECTURE ; ROMAN ARCHITECTURE ; WESTERN ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE, FROM EGYPT TO ARCHAIC GREECE.) (T. F. H.)