Austronesian vernacular architecture and the Ise Shrine of Japan: Is there any connection?

Abstract

In spite of so many varieties of form and detail of const ruction found in Southeast Asian vernacular buildings, there are some recurring features and shared characteristics that bind them together. The vast territories in which this phenomenon exists, known as the "Austronesian world", does not include Japan. However, there is an intriguing resemblance between the architectural style of Japanese vernacular heritage of the earlier period with that of Austronesia. This paper is an attempt to explain the relation between the two using the findings of studies by archaeological, linguistic, sociological and anthropological experts based on the link between culture, language and vernacular architecture.