Typological study of Oya stone buildings and townscapes: A case study of Nishine District, Tokujirou Town, Utsunomiya City

Abstract

AbstractThe Japanese style of architecture has traditionally been centered on wood; however, stone from the surrounding regions has also been used as a construction material in some instances. In a volcanically active country like Japan, tuff originating from solidified volcanic ash, is quite common. The tuff, thanks to its low specific gravity and softness, is easier to process. Oya stone, a kind of tuff predominantly found in Utsunomiya City (Tochigi Prefecture, approximately 100 km north of Tokyo), has been utilized as a building material. In this study, the typology of stone buildings and townscapes in the Nishine District of Tokujirou Town is elucidated. Tokujira stone, which is similar to Oya stone, was quarried here earlier. First, 62 stone buildings at 22 sites in the district were identified, which were subsequently classified into eight types according to the construction method (such as piling stones, cladding stones, and foundation stones), as well as the use of the buildings (such as storehouses and residences). Second, the site composition was analyzed according to the building layout and its relationship with the primary highway. For this purpose, three characteristic townscape types were identified, which reflect the local architectural culture, materials, and technique.