Some netizens have raised concerns: Japanese architectural elements are increasingly appearing in historical dramas. When discussing Tang Dynasty architecture in China, many recall the phrase "The true legacy of the Tang Dynasty lies in Japan." But is this really the case?
The statement "The true legacy of the Tang Dynasty lies in Japan" did not originate from us but was a cultural slander by Japanese experts after the invasion of China. It wasn't until 1937 when Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin discovered the Tang Dynasty Foguang Temple in Shanxi that the Japanese experts' claim—that China no longer had any wooden structures predating the Tang Dynasty—was debunked.
Upon closer examination of Chinese and Japanese architecture, one realizes that Japan was more like a transfer student learning Chinese architecture, often ending up with a mishmash of styles. Let's take the most commonly misused Japanese element in historical dramas as an example—Tang Po Feng (唐破风).
Tang Po Feng refers to a small gable roof placed outward at the entrance of a building, extending the eave space. The term "Po Feng" (破风) actually originates from the Chinese "Bo Feng" (搏风). The side panels of a hip - and - gable roof are called "Bo Feng Ban" (搏风板), and the decorative element hanging from it is called "Xuan Yu" (悬鱼), resembling a hanging fish. Japan borrowed this concept but kept only the eave, audaciously labeling it with the "Tang" prefix.
To date, China has only found structures similar to the curved - roof Baosha (抱厦), which is an extension built in front or behind a building, or a section of curved roof extending beyond the eaves to form functional spaces like corridors or rooms—not merely decorative elements.
Another controversial imitation is the outward - extending curved roof, which resembles modern - day awnings or canopies. These structures were functional, supported by pillars, not just decorative.
The reason Japanese architectural adaptations often seem off is that their original purpose was functional and practical, whereas the borrowed versions retain only the exaggerated eave structure without the underlying spatial functionality, reducing them to mere decorations—a misunderstanding of traditional culture.
Instead of preserving their own traditions, some historical dramas thoughtlessly adopt Japanese architectural elements. Costume drama designers should be more mindful.
