Wayō (和様,lit. Japanese style) is a Buddhist architectural style developed in Japan before theKamakura period (1185－1333), and is one of the important Buddhist architectural styles in Japan along withDaibutsuyō and theZenshūyō, which were developed based on Chinese architectural styles from the Kamakura period. This style originated in theAsuka (538－710) andNara period (710－794), when Japanese studied Buddhist architecture of theTang dynasty, and was improved in theHeian period (794－1185) to suit the Japanese climate and aesthetic sense. After the Kamakura period, theWayō developed into theShin-wayō style by combining it with theDaibutsuyō, and further developed into theSetchūyō by combining it with theZenshūyō, and pureWayō architecture decreased.^[1][2]

The name was coined later, during theKamakura period when the other two styles were born.^[3] Because by then the style was considered to be native, the term started to be used to distinguish older styles from those just arrived from China.^[4] It was characterized by simplicity, refraining from ornamentation, use of natural timber and in general plain materials. Structurally, it was distinguished by amain hall divided in two parts, an outer area for novices and an inner area for initiates, a hip-and-gable roof covering both areas, a raised wooden floor instead of the tile or stone floors of earlier temples, extended eaves to cover the front steps;shingles or bark rather than tile roofing; and a disposition of theshichidō garan adapting to the natural environment, rather than following the symmetrical layouts prevalent for example inZen temples.^[5][6]

During the Heian period temples were built using only non-penetrating tie beams (nageshi (長押)) made to fit around columns and pillars and nailed. Thedaibutsuyō style, first, and thezenshūyō style, later, replaced them with penetrating tie-beams (nuki (長押)), which actually pierced the column, and were therefore much more effective against earthquakes.^[7][8] Thenageshi was, however, retained as a purely decorative element.^[9]

Temples in this style, uninfluenced by the later styles, can be found mostly in theKansai region, and particularly inNara.

During theMuromachi period, the combination ofwayō with elements of thedaibutsuyō style became so frequent that sometimes it is called by scholarsShin-wayō (新和様,new wayō).^[10]

• Japanese Buddhist architecture § Heian period
• Setchūyō

Wikimedia Commons has media related toWayō.

• Nishi, Kazuo; Hozumi, Kazuo (1996) [1983].What is Japanese architecture? (illustrated ed.). Kodansha International.ISBN 4-7700-1992-0. Retrieved2009-11-11.
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004].The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved2009-11-11.
• Young, David; Young, Michiko Kimura; Yew, Tan Hong (2004).Introduction to Japanese architecture. Periplus Asian architecture (illustrated ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 0-7946-0100-6. Retrieved2010-01-11.

• Japanese Buddhist architecture
• Japanese architectural history
• Japanese architectural styles

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