blend of local and foreign
influences.
Japanese Bridge, Hoi An
The iconic Japanese Bridge of
Hoi An was built in the 16th
century and officially opened
in 1719 by Lord Nguyen Phuc
Chu. The tile-roofed bridge was
built by the Japanese living on
one side of the canal in order to
connect with the mainly Chinese
settlement on the other side. It
was a symbol of peace. However,
the designer and the builder
remain unknown. Interestingly,
40 years after the bridge was
built, the Japanese were ordered
by the Tokugawa Shogunate to
return to Japan, thus closing
Japan to the outside world.
The bridge with its Zeninspired Japanese architecture
was blended with Chinese
features. There is a shrine in the
middle of the bridge dedicated to
the God of weather that controls
the weather which is important
to the locals considering the
seafaring traditions and the
adverse weather conditions
around Hoi An. There is a pair of
dog statues at one end of bridge
and a pair of monkeys at the
other entrance. It was believed
that the bridge commenced
construction in the year of the
monkey and was completed in
the year of dog according to the
Chinese calendar.
The bridge is 60 ft in length
and 15 ft wide. The bridge
sits on mason block piers and
mason abutments that ensure
its stability and durability. The
entrance to the bridge consists
of a decorated head piece with
name of the bridge crafted on it.
The Japanese Bridge has
undergone a few modifications
Side view of Japanese Bridge from the canal /Song Thu Bon river
junction
Entrance to the bridge with decorative carvings
Close up view of the bridge
masonry piers
Inside the Japanese Bridge
showing the beautiful timber
trusses supporting the roof
tiles. The shrine is on the right
at mid span of the bridge.
Display of old photos next to
the shrine at mid span of the
bridge
77