Dou Gong 斗栱- Architectural Brackets| Structural Beauty of Traditional Chinese-Japanese Wooden Houses

Have you ever been captivated by the splendor of the foreign city or or struck by the resilience of Yingshan Wooden Tower? The secret behind these magnificent structures lies in Daogong, an ingenious wooden structural system that embodies profound cultural and artistic values. This video will take you on a journey to uncover the origins and long history of Daogong from the grandeur of China to the serenity of Japan. Marvel at the intricate and sophisticated structure of Daogong where seemingly simple wooden pieces lie seamlessly interlocked to create extraordinary strength. Daogong is a crucial structural system in traditional Chinese architecture that has also been adopted in Japan. This system is commonly found in wooden structures such as temples, shrines, theaters, bell towers, palaces, and residential houses to meet various needs. Notably, it appears in UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Forbidden City and the Yingshan Wooden Pagoda. The Daogong system is located on top of the columns consisting of interlocking wooden brackets meticulously joined together to build walls and support the roof of buildings. Daogong is not only a technical achievement but also a symbol of Chinese art and culture. Over thousands of years of development, the Daogong structures have evolved into various styles such as the Wenjing style, Shanxi style, Huzhou style, and Suzhou style. However, the main structure remains the same, multiple layers of interlocking brackets and beams with each additional layer expanding further out. Buildings utilizing Daogong have extended the roof, enhancing protection against sun and rain. The extended roof also increases the artistic appeal and balance of large structures covering hundreds of square meters. Additionally, the Daogong structure has a unique earthquake-resistant capability. Loosely interlocked brackets and beams can move slightly to absorb seismic shock and features not found in other wooden or concrete structures. Before delving into the details of this structure, let's look at buildings that have stood for thousands of years thanks to the Daogong structure. First is the Forbidden City in Beijing, one of the most representative architectural works utilizing the Daogong system with over 9,000 rooms and other complex structures. The architecture of the Forbidden City showcases the grandeur and authority of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is considered an invaluable historical treasure and a masterpiece of Chinese architecture with elegant and meticulous carvings. Next is the ancient Todai-ji Temple in Japan. Built in the 8th century, Todai-ji is famous for the Daigotsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha statue. Although many details have deteriorated, the temple remains a significant and iconic structure attracting millions of visitors each year. Todai-ji is a prime example of traditional wooden architecture. The Daogong system is meticulously applied to interlock the wooden components without nails, grooves, and glue. The temple's pillars are made from large wooden blocks, creating a robust and sturdy structure. The doors and windows are intricately crafted from wood with exquisite details and carvings, reflecting the high craftsmanship of Japanese carpenters. The third one is the Yinshan Pagoda in Shaanxi, China. The pagoda, part of the Fugong Temple, is the tallest wooden structure remaining in China, with a history of over 1,000 years. The pagoda stands 67.5 meters high and 30 meters wide. From the outside, it appears to have only five stories, but inside, there are actually nine. The pagoda is a prime example of the Daogong structure and the durability of wooden buildings, showcasing the ancient creativity that has created a magnificent work lasting through the ages. As you have seen, Daogong is an indispensable structure in wooden building, with each building having hundreds of shared Daogong systems. So, how is it constructed? Let's explore! The Daogong system starts from the top of a column consisting of multiple layers of brackets and beams stacked on top of each other, distributing the load evenly and supporting the heavy roof. Typically, a complete structure has six or seven layers, which each successive layer arranged higher and larger. The first layer on the top of the wooden column consists of three beams, with two beams perpendicular to each other and third placed diagonally. The second layer has two large beams and two small beams interlocked. Then, a diagonal beam is added, resulting in one-man diagonal log-bearing beam and six small beams distributing the load. The third layer consists of four log-beams stacked and intersecting at one point, with the structure becoming increasingly complex. Along with two small beams, this layer has one-man log-bearing beam and 12 small beams distributing the load. The fourth layer includes two round beams to support the roof directly and create the roof's curvature. The fifth layer has three interlocking beams supporting the roof directly. The sixth and seventh layers are the final and highest layers, recesses inward to hold the top of the roof. The above description outlines the complex structure of a dòu gông, a sophisticated invention by the ancients that utilized the weight of the roof to keep the components from celebrating. This structure not only holds high artistic value but also serves as historical witnesses, leaving deep cultural imprints of the Goliath era in history. Today, the structure has not only developed in China and Japan but also spread to many other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Laos, and Indonesia. We hope you will find our videos informative and entertaining. See you guys in the next video. Goodbye!