Explaining architectural dimensions based on visual semiotics (Case study: Tokyo city)

Mehrabi, Mehdi; Mokhtabad, Seyed Mostafa; Ghoddusifar, Seyed Hadi

doi:10.22034/jumes.2023.2007017.1149

Explaining architectural dimensions based on visual semiotics (Case study: Tokyo city)

Document Type : Case Study

Authors

Mehdi Mehrabi ¹

Seyed Mostafa Mokhtabad ²

Seyed Hadi Ghoddusifar ³

¹ Ph.D. Student, Department of Architecture, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran

² Professor, Department of Architecture, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Kish International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kish Island, Iran

10.22034/jumes.2023.2007017.1149

Abstract

With the passage of time and the increasing age of cinema, films become important historical treasures, and the mounds of ancient cities become areas that can be studied and explored. Knowing the ways of life, economy, culture and art are all areas that can be studied in the film. In the meantime, Japan has introduced important filmmakers and films to the world of art with its unique culture and identity. The film Ran (1985) by Akira Kurosawa, a famous Japanese filmmaker, is considered one of the best films of Japanese cinema. The aim of the present research is to examine the content of the Ran film based on the concept of architectural semiotics in the context of urban elements. At the same time, it can also be said that it is a developmental feature. MaxQDA2020 software has been used to analyze the verbal content (using English subtitles of the dialogues of our film between the actors and also to extract signs in the elements presented in the images and visual content of the film. In total, 7 filmological dimensions were examined and Historical dimension, intellectual-philosophical and metaphorical dimension, intellectual-philosophical foundations, house components, the use of Buddhist symbols and finally the use of Buddhist color symbolism are the main categories identified in the movie Ran. This research It can be used in the fields of cinema studies, architecture, anthropological and historical studies related to Japan.

Keywords

Semiotics

urban elements

Ran

visual content

Akira Kurosawa

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