What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture

Traditional Japanese architecture-whether Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines residences castles or teahouses-has become increasingly familiar around the world. Through the media of motion pictures art books T.V. documentaries and dramas such as Shogun as well as through personal experience more and more people have gained an acquaintance and appreciation of the architecture of premodern Japan. Some may even be able to name or recognize the oldest and the largest wooden structures in existence which are to be found in Japan at Horyuji and Todaiji respectively. Yet often this knowledge is still rudimentary. Confusion abounds as to what distinguishes Japanese architecture from Chinese or Korean or even Southeast Asian not to mention what sets off a Buddhist temple from a Shinto shrine or say a residence of the tenth century from one of the eighteenth. Until now there has been no recourse for those seeking through a single book to increase their appreciation of the whole range of traditional Japanese architecture. With the publication of What Is Japanese Architecture? however this situation has finally been rectified. Construction design carpentry and the background of Japanese architecture from prehistory to mid-nineteenth century are here made available within the covers of a single compact book. With over 300 drawings that illuminate the essentials of discussion more concretely than words could ever do and a text that is succinct and always to the point the book is divided into four parts-one each dealing chronologically with religious structures residences castles and places of entertainment. The reader learns not only how each of these fields of architecture has evolved over the centuries and what distinguishes the buildings of one age from those of another but something of the historical conditions and the people responsible for these changes as well as the role played by carpentry and methods of construction. The establishment and growth of the historic Japanese capitals-Nara Kyoto Edo-is brought sharply into focus along with the rise and spread of other urban centers. Also highlighted are the mansions of the court nobility; the castles and residences of the samurai aristocracy; the homes of village elders; dwellings of the common people; educational institutions and places of entertainment such as theaters red-light districts teahouses and country villas. Any book that is as full of information as this and readily accessible and clearly illustrated at the same time will be of great interest and use to a wide range of people-architects designers historians carpenters movie buffs tourists garden designers and others whether amateur or professional. Whatever the readers' background there is little doubt about one thing: they will emerge with an acuter eye and a greater sensitivity to the delights of traditional Japanese architecture.

Paperback: 144 pages

Publisher: Kodansha USA; 1 edition (April 15 1996)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 4770019920

ISBN-13: 978-4770019929

Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 0.7 x 10 inches

Shipping Weight: 1 pounds