Journal Set 3 (Multi-media Entry)

Following videos are about works of architect Ando Tadao.

On the first video “Water Temple”, one of the most famous works of Ando Tadao, is shown. Shingonshu Honpukuji, what means Water Temple in English, is the residence of Buddhist sect called Ninnaji Shingon. It was built in 1991 It is unique and illustrious not only because of its remarkable form; Water Temple represents radical change in building temples in Japan. Here are pictures of usual Japanese temple and Shingonshu Honpukuji.

Although it does not look like ordinary temple, it was built by all parameters of temple. Water Temple’s form has own concept and deep meaning. As you saw in a video, huge pool confuses and looks like ordinary pool, but it divided into two symmetrical parts and filled with water, which represents spiritual cleansing. Under the pool, there are a an “heart” of temple, here you can say motives of traditional Japanese architecture, as a contrast for light outside the temple, inside of Water Temple Ando Tadao used red light, which is reference of Buddha. In spite of temple’s simplicity it has many details, each of them has own meaning and idea.

The second video is about Church on the Water. It was built by Ando Tadao in 1988, year before Church of the Light was built. I feel deep meaning in contrast of concrete structure and simple cross with nature; sitting on simple worship the only things you can see are smooth surface of the water and beauty of nature. I think it is one of the best churches I have ever seen. Here are pictures of Church on the Water.