A Chronological Study On The Evolution Of Tou-kung Styles In Early Ming Dynasties’ Official Architectures

By using theories of archaeology study, the author wants to find out whether thechange of capital between Beijing and Nanjing has influenced the officialarchitectural styles. This paper is focused on the Tou-kung of Yuan and the earlyMing dynasties official architectures.Based on large-scale archaeological architecture surveys and careful examinationof related historical records,21timber with inscriptions of specific constructiondates or related time periods and clear original architectural forms were foundand sampled for a chronological study by the author. An elementarychronological work of the architectural remains of Yuan(1271-1368AD) andearly Ming(1368-1449AD) dynasties was carried out and is based on theanalysis of the configuration of the temporal existence of combined architecturalforms abstracted from those architectural samples. The conclusions of thechronological research are used for cross-regional cultural studies among thenorthern part, the southern part of China in Yuan dynasty and Beijing in earlyMing dynasty.The research shows that the architectural style of Tou-kung of the officialarchitecture in the northern part of China in Yuan dynasty has a crucial influenceon the official architecture in Beijing in early Ming dynasty. Yuan dynasty takesthemainstream styles enforced by Ying Zao Fa Shi, a publication of architecturalregulations from the early12th century, and Ming dynasty develop itsarchitectural styles based on Yuan dynasty.