"Ise Jingu" : a manifestation of the coeval past, present and future

Abstract

The purpose of this article is not to describe, but mainly to interpret the meaning of "Ise Jingu", Japan, as a unique manifestation of Shinto architecture. For this purpose, reference is made to ideas expressed by Japanese architects concerning the architecture of the buildings of the two shrines at Ise as prototypes of Japanese architecture. These views on the meaning of the shrines are supported by Western theoretical insights, mainly those formulated by the German philosopher Martin Heidegger.Die doel met hierdie artikel is nie om "Ise Jingu", Japan, te beskryf nie, maar hoofsaaklik om die betekenis daarvan as 'n unieke manifestasie van Shinto-argitektuur te interpreteer. Met hierdie doel voor oë word verwys na die menings van Japanese argitekte oor die geboue van die Ise-heiligdomme as prototipes van Japanese argitektuur. Hierdie beskouings oor die betekenis van die heiligdomme word ondersteun deur Westerse teoretiese insigte, hoofsaaklik die wat deur die Duitse filosoof, Martin Heidegger, geformuleer is.