4. Feature of Shinkyo
(1) Visual feature
It is a beautiful construction using thick wooden pieces, and elegant curve
consisted of soft arc. Vermilion and red lacquered bridge does not seem to be
well balanced with surrounding nature, but vermilion color is a strong accent
and makes the whole view beautiful. Combination of lacquer and nature will be
overwhelming when you get close to the bridge. On the contrary, Shinkyo has a
delicate coloring combination associated with beautiful gorge.
(2) Feature of construction
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Bridge girders are embedded into the earth or stone base on the both
riversides. The girders stick out slantwise from the shore, and stone-made
pier supports point of the girder. In addition, shorter girder is put on the
central joint in order to form a trapezoid-like frame.
This is the special feature among the existing eight wooden bridges, which
have been inscribed as important cultural property.
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Traditional bridge over the gorge was like a drawbridge. However, the bridge
was improved its construction style from drawbridge to girder style. The
bridge became stylish, but durability became weak. However, additional pier
helped to reinforce that weakness. Combination of drawbridge style and
girder style was the most advanced technology at that time. This technology
was derived from Momoyama era (1568 -1600) when castle building developed.
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This new technology had both advantage and disadvantage. For example, it
helped to decrease volume of whole wooden materials and lightened the
weight. Also, structure became simpler. On the contrary, the pier became
riskier against the flood.
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