Nagasaki's Light and Shadow: The Story of History Reflected in Ice-Crest Latticed Woodwork

Introduction: Nagasaki's History of Destruction and Rebirth

Tohmeizan KOFUKUJI

Nagasaki, a city that has long thrived as an international hub where diverse cultures intersect, has a history marked by a constant interplay of light and shadow. Through cycles of prosperity and decline, destruction and rebirth, Nagasaki has cultivated a unique cultural identity.

One of the symbols of Nagasaki's history is the "ice-crest latticed woodwork" (氷裂式組子, hyōretsushiki kumiko). Found in both Kofukuji Temple in Nagasaki and the former Yasukawa Residence in Kitakyushu, this beautiful decorative element, with its distinctive pattern resembling cracked ice, manipulates light and shadow to captivate viewers and evoke a deep sense of history and craftsmanship.

This article focuses on the "ice-crest latticed woodwork," exploring the secrets of its beauty and its connection to Nagasaki's history, culture, and the narrative of destruction and rebirth.

What is Ice-Crest Latticed Woodwork? A Technique of Manipulating Light and Shadow

"Ice-crest latticed woodwork" is a technique that uses wood to create patterns that resemble cracked ice. "Kumiko" refers to the technique of assembling wood without nails, where thin strips of wood are grooved, holed, and tenoned, then adjusted with planes, saws, and chisels before being assembled piece by piece.

This technique is not just about combining wood; it's about manipulating light and shadow to create beautiful patterns. The intricate patterns of ice-crest latticed woodwork, when illuminated, produce a stained-glass-like beauty that captivates viewers. The contrast of light and shadow seems to reflect the very history of Nagasaki.

Ice-Crest Latticed Woodwork at Kofukuji Temple: A Symbol of Destruction and Rebirth

The Daio-hoden (main hall) of Kofukuji Temple is built in a pure late-Ming Chinese architectural style, and one of its distinctive features is the circular windows with ice-crest latticed woodwork. When the temple was first built, the fretwork areas were backed by glass panes, and it is said that they shone like stained glass in the sunlight.

However, the atomic bombing of Nagasaki during World War II severely damaged Kofukuji Temple, and the fretwork and circular windows of the Daio-hoden were completely destroyed. It took 45 years to restore the building, but unfortunately, the glass backing could not be replaced, and the fretwork was repaired with wooden panels. This event serves as a symbol of destruction and rebirth in Nagasaki's history.

Ice-Crest Latticed Woodwork at the Former Yasukawa Residence: Taisho Roman and the Shadow of the Times

Meanwhile, at the former Yasukawa Residence in Kitakyushu, ice-crest latticed woodwork is used in the transoms and windows of the Japanese-style rooms. The former Yasukawa Residence is a Western-style mansion built in the Taisho era, and its beautiful architecture reflects the culture and lifestyle of that time. However, the Taisho era was also a time of upheaval, marked by World War I and the Great Kanto Earthquake. The ice-crest latticed woodwork at the former Yasukawa Residence, with its beauty, seems to reflect the shadow of the times.

The ice-crest latticed woodwork at the former Yasukawa Residence, unlike that at Kofukuji Temple, is characterized by its more delicate and geometric patterns. It creates a beautiful contrast of light and shadow in the Japanese-style rooms, further enhancing the atmosphere of the residence.

The Rarity of Ice-Crest Latticed Woodwork: A Lost Technique and Inherited Beauty

Ice-crest latticed woodwork, representative of late-Ming architecture, is said to be no longer found in such large and intricate forms even in China today. The ice-crest latticed woodwork at Kofukuji Temple and the former Yasukawa Residence are, therefore, extremely valuable cultural heritage sites.

These fretwork pieces are not just decorations; they are valuable witnesses to the architectural techniques and aesthetic sensibilities of their time, and they are essential to understanding the history and culture of Nagasaki and Kitakyushu, as well as the narrative of destruction and rebirth.

Suggested Itinerary: A Journey Through Light and Shadow

When visiting Nagasaki and Kitakyushu, be sure to experience the beauty of ice-crest latticed woodwork and feel the history of Nagasaki by following this itinerary:

• Kofukuji Temple in Nagasaki: Admire the circular windows with ice-crest latticed woodwork in the Daio-hoden, and experience its beauty and craftsmanship. Stroll through the temple grounds and feel the late-Ming Chinese architectural style. The restored Kofukuji Temple symbolizes Nagasaki's resilience.

• Former Yasukawa Residence in Kitakyushu: Admire the ice-crest latticed woodwork used in the transoms and windows of the Japanese-style rooms, and feel the Taisho Roman atmosphere. Stroll through the residence and imagine the lifestyle of that time. The beauty of the former Yasukawa Residence symbolizes the hope of people who lived through a turbulent era.

Conclusion: A Story of History Woven by Light and Shadow

The ice-crest latticed woodwork at Kofukuji Temple and the former Yasukawa Residence is a world of beauty woven by light and shadow. Its beauty is not just decoration; it is a crystallization of history, culture, and the story of destruction and rebirth. When visiting Nagasaki and Kitakyushu, be sure to experience the world of history and beauty through this fretwork.

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