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Since the building’s recreation and opening in 1995, it has been primarily used for public education, with the site's connections to the Jomon Jiyukan (a nearby museum). In its time period, however, the original building was likely a communal space. As Jomon society became increasingly sedentary, communities such as those surrounding the structure developed. Its large size allowed these communities to gather.]]> (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/140913_Sannai-Maruyama_site_Aomori_Japan02bs5.jpg)]]> (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/be/140913_Sannai-Maruyama_site_Aomori_Japan03s.jpg)]]>
This house is an example of minka-style homes popularized in Japan by the non-samurai class, namely farmers, merchants, and artisans.  While not the upper class, a position reserved for samurai and the shogun's prefectural advisors, these workers would accumulate wealth during the Edo period. This specific home was likely owned by a wealthy farmer, as highlighted by its large yard and guest room.]]> ]]> ]]>
Inside, the church reveals its most unique features. The sanctuary is an open, column-free space spanning approximately 90 by 60 feet—an impressive feat achieved through a system of large wooden trusses. This clear-span design supports communal worship, which was central to Moravian spiritual life. The interior is simple yet elegant: whitewashed walls, wooden pews arranged to foster unity and visibility, and restrained classical detailing such as cornices and flat arched window frames. Colonial Germanic architectural features—including herringbone-patterned doors and brick eyebrows over the windows—highlight the congregation’s cultural heritage.]]> Builder: Moravian settlers]]>
-Stucco: The exterior of the church's sanctuary is a prominent feature, covered in stucco, which is scored to give it a neat, cut-stone appearance.

-Iron: The roof trusses are reinforced with iron tension straps for additional support.]]> Longitude: -75.37588072197381]]> Formal Description A beautiful, fascinating house that looks like it is standing tall right in the sky above all other houses, like it is floating in the sky like clouds without any base. Makes you wonder what it feels like to be up there. This house has many layers of walls, and the gates that surround the central tower. The layout is fascinating but also complicated and mysterious. It feels like a maze. It is mostly designed to confuse enemies. The paths of the house are twisted and turned, leading uphill through courtyards, towers, and narrow passageways. Each area is built to slow down attackers and protect the center. The highest tower is 152 feet tall. From the outside, it looks like it has five levels, but actually it has six levels inside and also a basement. Each level gets smaller as it goes up. The entrance of the house is made up of a large wooden gate at the very bottom of the hill. It moves through the paths and multiple gates, which lead to the main tower. The building material is a wooden post and lintel structure. Beams and columns support each floor. There are no vaults or domes, just stacked wooden levels with steep tiled roofs. The Surfaces are smooth white plaster over wood and stone. Roofs have repeating curved tiles and family crest tiles at the edges. Decorations are simple but elegant, with fish-shaped roof ornaments for protection. The light of this house comes through small windows and slits in the walls. The house is made of wood, stone, and white plaster. The base is made from a strong stone, and the towers and walls are mostly made out of wood, with plaster to help prevent fire.]]> Interpretive Reading This house was designed to protect, impress, and show power. The maze paths, tall stone base, and strong wooden structure were chosen to be a military defense, to make it hard for enemies to attack. At the same time, is elegant white walls and layered roofs gave it a beautiful, almost floating look, which signaled wealth, power, and control. In its historical context, it likely showed the strength of the ruling family and helped to keep the peace. The use of wood and plaster helped keep it light and flexible, which is good for earthquakes, and the stone base gave it the strength to keep it together. It may have felt like walking toward the sky and heavens. The whole structure can be seen as a metaphor for a mountain, with many levels rising to the peak, and the main tower is its hierarchy, where power is held.]]> Contemporary Resonance or Reflection Today, this house is a rare example of a large wooden structure that has survived for centuries, so it raises questions about how this building has lived for centuries that not even in modern times, with a lot of technology, we are unable to build such a building. It also reminds us to think about how power and beauty were shown through architecture, and how a design and an idea will still live on even after the architect dies.]]> https://www.remotelands.com/travelogues/app/uploads/2019/07/Himeji-Castle-01.jpg ]]> Longitude: 134.6939° E]]>
Used by Janissaries as arsenal, warehouse for military equipment, and repository for trophies of arm and military regalia taken by the Ottomans during conquest: until 1826]]> Construction completed: 443]]> Architect: Edmund G. Lind]]> 1878: Building is opened to the public.]]>