Abstract

Purpose: The study began with a look at conventional residential spaces based on myths and religious beliefs of Jeju, Okinawa and Taiwan, located in East Asia. Following previous research on Jeju Island’s traditional residential space, it was started to examine the characteristics of the residential space formed according to the local speciality, unique labor environment and traditional customs within the island of Okinawa. Method: The main scope of the study is set by the main islands distributed in the southwest, among the islands included in the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. On-site survey and resident interviews were conducted on designated cultural properties located in Okinawas main island, Ishigaki City, Taketomi Island, Iriomote Island and Gumejima Island. Result: In the long history of struggle with the natural environment, the faith of the Okinawans had a direct influence on the residential space and to these day has become a tradition preserved and maintained by many old villagers. If this combination of ‘feng shui’ and indigenous beliefs has affected the layout of the folk houses, ‘Buddhism’ is related to the formation and planning of a flat surface, and ‘Taoism’ appears in combination with the elements that protect the house and the outside.

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