Miyadaiku (Temple and Shrine Carpenters)

Jul 12, 2016 10:05
Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese job category "miyadaiku."

Daiku means carpenters, and miyadaiku means carpenters who build and repair only traditional Japanese architectures, such as temples and shrines.

Temples and shrines are built by using a unique Japanese construction method called "kigumi" (timberwork), which don't use nails or bolts.

Kigumi is a method that builds architectures by combining timbers that are logged to complex shapes.

If the height of the architecture is high, miyadaiku will design it so as to distribute the gravity.

Since this technique is important to preserve cultural assets, it is designated as a selected preservation technique.
宮大工

今日は、日本の職業「宮大工」を紹介します。

宮大工は、神社やお寺など、伝統的な建物の建築や補修を手掛ける大工職人のことです。

寺社の建築は、釘を使わない「木組み」という日本独自の工法で行われます。

木組みは、複雑な形に切り出した木をはめ合わせて組み上げる工法で、高い建物では重力を分散するように設計します。

この技術は文化財保存のために必要な技術であるため、国から「選定保存技術」に指定されています。
No. 1 Vector
  • Temples and shrines are built by using a unique Japanese construction method called "kigumi" (timberwork), which don't use nails or bolts.
  • Temples and shrines are built by using a unique Japanese construction method called "kigumi" (timberwork), which doesn't use nails or bolts.
  • Kigumi is a method that builds architectures by combining timbers that are logged to complex shapes.
  • Kigumi is a method that builds architectures by combining timbers that are logged to complex shapes.

    this sentence is a little confusing to follow - do you mean timber logs are arranged in complex shapes, or the logs themselves are made of a complex material?

  • If the height of the architecture is high, miyadaiku will design it so as to distribute the gravity.
  • If anthe height of the architecturale work is deshigned to be tallh, miyadaiku canwill design it so as to distribute the gravity well.

    the sentence is good but this makes it more natural and academic sounding!

great article! I learned a lot about miyadaiku today from your entry.

Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post!

> do you mean timber logs are arranged in complex shapes, or the logs themselves are made of a complex material?

Sorry for my confusing English.
I think, if anything, what I wanted to say is the former.
However, I also feel that the nuance is a little different.

I wanted to say something like:
Miyadaiku combine timbers without nails or bolts.
So they cut the joint portions of the timbers in complex shapes.
You can see the examples in the following URLs:
http://www.zaimokuten.com/house7.html
http://daikudougu.web.fc2.com/nigatamonozukuri.html
Vector
Oh, I see! I understand your sentence better now. It is grammatically good but the meaning is made clearer like this:

"Kigumi (timberwork) is a Japanese method where you can build complex architecture without nails or bolts. Instead, the timber itself is cut into interlocking shapes."

thank you for the example link! Kigumi is kind of beautiful, isn't it?

Toru
Thank you for letting me know the alternative expression!

Yeah, I think it's beautiful and functional :)