Module 6 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Module 6 - Essay Example It is believed that there are certain places considered as sacred spaces where the kami communicate with people. These places are usually located near waterfalls, trees and mountains, rivers, and other unusual natural formations. In these places, shrines are built to house the kami where the sacred space separates them from the ordinary world. Sacred spaces also exist in the homes where the kamidana or home shrine is designated. The shrine and the home shrine are therefore treated with the utmost respect, and this is evident in the architecture of the edifice. A large gate called tori, with a distinctive design fronts kami shrines, exhibiting two upright bars and two crossbars that indicate the separation of the sacred from the common space. Aside from this several real and symbolic barriers mark the sacred space, such as statutes of protection, ropes and fences. The shrines have distinctive parts such as the public hall of worship (haiden), the hall of offerings (heiden), and the innermost portion which comprises the worship hall reserved for the high priest (honden). It is in the honden where the symbol of the enshrined kami is situated. http://it.spcollege.edu/flashapplications/accessibleYouTubePlayer/index.htm?swfWidth=480&swfHeight=358&videoWidth=480&videoHeight=270&srtFile=http://it.spcollege.edu/srt/HUM2270_KevinMorgan/Hum2270_Mod6_EarlJapArtCult_TradJapArch.srt&youtubeURL=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVnQvhS4vRs The video chosen for review describes how Japanese dwellings are constructed. It is interesting to note that the traditional Japanese home is constructed of wood and light materials and seldom have solid walls. There are also no permanent partitions, only temporary dividers, typically free-standing folding screens made of paper that are set up when the need to segregate spaces arises. Occasionally, there are also sliding doors which are installed along wooden