Japanese Architecture
Space in Japanese Architecture

"Ma"

The Kanji character is also pronounced "Aida", which refers to a segment of time.

Ma is the combination and integration of space and time. Ma deals with intervals of space. This points out a fundamental difference in the mindset of the general American public and that of Japan. To the American mind, this is the best explanation. The one word ma has two meanings: an interval of time and an interval of space. When talking about space from a Japanese perspective, time is an integral part of the experience of space.

In the modern Japanese culture, space is very precious and used to its utmost, so the concept of ma cannot practically be thought about very often in the average apartment. Instead, this idea is ingrained into the general collective Japanese cultural history.

Movable Space and Horizontal Planes

In traditional Japanese architecture, there is a great emphasis on horizontal planes and the minimization of the appearance of height.

Because of the concept of ma, and space and time being interconnected, thick walls were always unfavorable because they divide space as opposed to allowing it to be manipulated and changed. Instead, planes, light, and lines could be moved with semi-permanent paper screens, sliding doors, and tatami mats.