鑪盤博士
ろばんはかせ
What? Roban-hakase!?
I first came across the word roban-hakase in a text book about Japanese architecture. I was studying to take the entrance exam to the Masters Course at Tokyo University of Art and Music (now Tokyo University of the Arts), so I needed to become familiar with some of the most important historical buildings in the country, about which there were bound to be questions in the exam.
A roban-hakase was just one of a number of the highly skilled specialists who were welcomed by the Japanese Court, and came from the Korean peninsula to pass on the skills needed to build a Buddhist temple. Buddhism is said to have been introduced to Japan in the early part of the 6th century and the building of temples followed in its wake.
Simply speaking roban-hakase were skilled metal workers, proficient in the use of a furnace. They were accompanied by other artisans such as roof tile makers, artists as well as others skilled in the building of temples. Much would have been unfamiliar to the Japanese as there was a need to follow precepts often symbolising the cardinal doctrines of Buddhist believes.
In time the layout and style of Buddhist temples built on the archipelago began to reflect Japanese taste and conditions. This is particularly true of the buildings, which were constructed from the readily available resources of fine timber to be found in the country. The pagodas were no exception. The making of the finials, however, would no doubt have been closely monitored by the roban-hakase as metalwork skills were needed.
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| The Pagoda and Main Hall (Kondo) of Horyuji Temple. The asymmetrical arrangement of these two buildings within the temple compound is so unusual. The Pagoda is thought to date from around 700. |
The asymmetrical arrangement of the main buildings at Horyuji Temple in Nara is a fine example of how Japanese inclinations were perhaps satisfied, although the layout of the temple is almost unique and was hardly ever repeated.
Other than the pagoda finial, the making of a multitude of other metal fittings would most certainly have kept the roban-hakase and their apprentices fully occupied.
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| A glimpse of the Pagoda and finial seen from the Daikodo or lecture hall. |
Even before the introduction of Buddhism, Japanese carpenters would have certainly had the skill to build what was required. Nevertheless, they might have been fazed by the requirements of the Buddhist faith.
They would not, however, have shrunk from the challenge of constructing a residential building of any size. On the contrary. They were in their element when building farmhouses, palatial homes and dwellings for the common man.
But that will be dealt with in a subsequent blog post.
Tatara
The first character of the word roban-hakase is used when referring to an ancient form of furnace. Please refer to the links below, either in English or Japanese, to find out more about the tatara furnace.
About tatara in English
About tatara in Japanese
For more information on Horyuji Temple please refer to the link below.
About Horyuji Temple in English/Japanese
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