Writing on Architecture: Li Jie and Tradition

The earliest known complete architectural text in China, it provides detailed descriptions of architectural technology, building methods, and urban design of the Qi state.

"Determining the directions" and "adjusting the positions correctly" are crucial steps in building a state, city, and buildings. It involves determining the cardinal directions and orienting structures accordingly.

The Kaogongji describes the technology for determining the cardinal directions, including using a water-holding level instrument and observing the sun's shadow.

The Kaogongji sets out the standard urban design of a capital city, with a symmetrical layout of a square city, including three gates on each side, nine streets running north and south and east and west, and a central palace compound.

The Kaogongji uses a modular system of architecture, with the mat as the basic unit of measurement for a palace building. Different measuring units are used for different spaces, such as the mat for a hall, the stool for the interior, and the full pace for outer precincts.

The Erya "Shigong" chapter is the earliest known text in China that specifically focuses on architectural terminology, providing glosses for pre-Qin architectural terms and concepts.

The Erya "Shigong" chapter helps scholars understand architecture related to the rituals and historical narratives in pre-Qin classics by providing explanations of key terms and concepts.

The "Shigong" glosses architectural terms like "liang" (beam), "zhuo" (dwarf post), "dong" (purlin), and "jue" (rafter), reflecting the complexity of pre-Qin wood-framed architecture.

The Erya "Shigong" chapter is significant because it represents the first time in Chinese literature that architecture has its own independent category in a compilation. It serves as an important resource for later scholars.

The Shiming "Shigongshi" chapter mirrors the format and content of the Erya "Shigong", explaining architectural terminology through a method of analyzing homophones related to the glossed term.

The "Zuo’s Commentaries on the Spring and Autumn Annals" provides a valuable account of the construction of a city in the state of Chu, highlighting the importance of efficient construction management.

The YZFS (Yingzao Fashi, "Building Standards") frequently cites pre-Qin and Han texts, including the Kaogongji, Shijing, and the Erya "Shigong" chapter, to support its standard methods for building.

The YZFS emphasizes consistency between classical architectural traditions and contemporary building methods. It acknowledges that some technologies diverged over time but firmly grounds its system in tradition.

The YZFS includes detailed discussions of determining the manpower and time requirements for construction projects, reflecting the ancient concept of project management.

The YZFS presents a comprehensive system of modules, with the "cai" (bracket arm section) serving as the standard module for designing all parts of a building.

Li Jie, author of the YZFS, begins his preface by referencing Confucian classics like the Yijing (Classic of Changes) and the Zhouli (Rites of the Zhou) to establish the foundational principles of ancient building practice.

The YZFS includes detailed processes and standards for building rammed walls and foundations, citing pre-Qin and Han texts that mention rammed-earth technology as the theoretical basis for these standards.

Ancient Chinese architecture prioritized the use of timber frames and used a variety of components to create complex structures. The Erya "Shigong" chapter offers definitions of key structural elements like "liang" (beam), "zhuo" (dwarf post), and "jue" (rafter) that illustrate the complexity of this tradition.

The YZFS includes illustrations of orientation technologies, such as the "shuiping" (water-holding level instrument) and the "yingbiaoban" (gnomon-equipped board for gauging the sun's shadow). These tools reflect the importance of accurate site planning and alignment in ancient Chinese architecture.

Ancient Chinese buildings often featured decorative elements like "chongchang" (painted coffers) and "chonglang" (two-storied structures), indicating a greater concern for aesthetics beyond mere functionality.

The use of metaphors played a significant role in how ancient Chinese people perceived architecture. Architectural elements, like cantilevers, were described with terms like "fei’ang niaoyong" (flying cantilevers flitting like birds).

The Mozi (Micius) includes an essay titled "Bei chengmen" (Preparing city gates), which discusses the importance of defendable cities and features like "houlou" (watchtowers) and "lu" (overhanging uncovered watchtowers).

The concept of "banzhu" (boards and mallets, ramming between boards) in ancient Chinese architecture involves using wooden frame boards to build rammed-earth foundations or walls by compressing earth layer by layer.

The YZFS includes a chapter on "gongxian" (limits of human work), which focuses on determining the manpower and time needs for various construction tasks. This highlights the importance of efficient labor management in ancient Chinese construction.

Ancient Chinese architects used a variety of measurements based on human anatomy, such as the length of an extended arm (xun) for measuring spaces within a palace complex and a full pace (bu) for measuring outer precincts.

The Kaogongji mentions specialized government posts in charge of construction, like the "sikong" (superintendent of public works) and the "situ" (minister of instruction). This highlights the importance of organized and hierarchical administrative structures in ancient Chinese construction.

The YZFS cites pre-Qin classics to support its standards for determining the roof height of buildings. It highlights the importance of considering factors like the building's width and roofing material.

The Kaogongji mentions the concept of "tiantong" (the North Star), which was used by ancient Chinese architects alongside the sun's shadow to determine the cardinal directions during the night.

The YZFS emphasizes the importance of ensuring proper level in the ground and foundations before proceeding with construction, showcasing the concern for structural stability and longevity.

The YZFS cites historical references to "shu 塾" (gatehouse), "tang 唐" (road inside a shrine), and "dian 坫" (clay platform) as essential terms for understanding the layout and organization of ancient palaces.

The YZFS acknowledges that standards regarding the width and height of walls, as mentioned in the Kaogongji, found continued use in the construction of rammed walls during the Northern Song period, indicating a strong adherence to traditional principles.