Aoki Jun-Mamihira Bridge

Friday, August 15, 2008

This is a bridge in the center of Mamihara, Soyo-machi, which once flourished as a post town. The bridge was designed so that pedestrians coming from the road maintain continuity of experience. However, this is not just a bridge for pedestrian traffic.

The intention was to create a bridge that is a place where people naturally linger.
Toward the middle, the bridge gradually splits into two: the upper level and the lower level. The upper level leads one toward a pair of rocks joined by a sacred rope at the other end of the bridge.

The lower level is a "reverse arched bridge" that dips down toward the river; through two round holes, one can look down on the water. The planks are made of local cedar. The structure is one unified whole made from two surfaces and columns.

Aoki Jun