The Architecture of Tokyo [Paperback]

Hiroshi Watanabe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 20, 2001

This is the first guide to introduce nearly 500 buildings of this region.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hiroshi Watanabe studied architecture at Princeton University in Princeton, N. J., and at Yale University in New Haven, Conn. He has written extensively on contemporary Japanese architecture and on the work of architects from Western countries in Japan. He was the Japan correspondent for Progressive Architecture. His writings include Amazing Architecture from Japan and the text for the monograph on the Marugame Hirai Museum by Alfredo Arribas (Opus 20). He also translated Space in Japanese Architecture by Mitsuo Inoue.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Axel Menges (March 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3930698935
• ISBN-13: 978-3930698936
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Discusses a broad range of Tokyo architecture, September 2, 2001

By 

D. Buntrock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Architecture of Tokyo (Paperback)

Watanabe's book is indeed a guidebook, and it frankly presents itself as such. The value of this book it that it attempts to breakdown the area's architecture into historical periods, relying on maps at the end for spatial connections. While this format was apparently determined by the publisher and can be cumbersome to use, its value is in highlighting many of Tokyo's structures from the Edo and Meiji periods, which are overlooked or even ignored in most architectural guidebooks. While this is not a book I would recommend to the neophyte, I think that it will - and should - end up in the libraries of regular visitors to Japan with an interest in architecture.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tokyo ARCH., October 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Architecture of Tokyo (Paperback)

Watanabe's guidebook does a good job in describing how each of Japan's buildings are rooted into the rich historical periods of Japan. Although the graphic material is not the best, the generous amount of information devoted to each building makes up for it. If you are planning on visiting Japan or just want to know more about Japan's rich architecture you may find this book to be quite helpful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile architectural guidebook, September 27, 2001

By 

"britt72" (Fremont, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Architecture of Tokyo (Paperback)

As one of very few guides to the architecture of Tokyo presented in English, this book further delivers by presenting each building in terms of its historical context. As such, the reader gains an understanding of the many forces shaping Japanese architecture from "traditional" times to the present day. Though organized by historical period instead of geographic location, all buildings are keyed to detailed maps at the back of the book to help you find your way, or even to help you pick out buildings of interest in whatever area of the city you happen to be. So while this book does *not* offer glossy photos, it will get you there to take your own, and should be very helpful for visitors to Tokyo who are looking for an architectural guidebook with content over flash.