From Shinto to Ando: Studies in Architectural Anthropology in Japan [Hardcover]

G?nter Nitschke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1854902911 | ISBN-13: 978-1854902917 | Publication Date: October 29, 1993 | Edition: 1

Traces in depth the ancient roots of Japanese sacred architecture and their relevance today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

From Shinto to Ando G?nter Nitschke This book presents a thorough and meticulous study of Japanese architecture based on thirty years of field research by the architect and urban planner. G?nter Nitschke. In this major anthropological survey, the imperial, religious and domestic architecture of Japan are traced in connection with the rituals and rites of Japanese society from Shinto to the modern day, culminating in the work of Tadao Ando the renowned Japanese architect. The book is a collection of essays exploring two threads of the evolution of Japanese architecture: the styles and the rituals which have persevered through the centuries, maintaining a traditional stronghold, and the styles and rituals which have adapted to the times and the influence of the Western world while still employing a lesser degree of tradition. Each essay focuses on the Japanese concept of space making and space understanding. Alongside this overriding theme, the author provides a penetrative study of time, the element which complements space. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

G?nter Nitschke was born in Berlin, gaining degrees in architecture, town planning and Japanese from Germany. England and Japan respectively. His reputation has spread worldwide and in the past twenty years he has been the Lecturer in Theory and History of East Asian Architecture and Urbanism, first at Princeton University, then at MIT and since then at the Kyoto Seika University. Nitschke is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in London and at present is the Director of the Private Institute for East Asian Architecture and Urbanism in Kyoto, which conducts and publishes theoretical and historical research as well as functioning as a consulting body for contemporary architectural and urban design. Nitschke has written profusely, with a number of essays appearing in Architectural Design. Bauwelt, Bauen & Wohnen, Daidalos, Kenchiku Bunke, Kyoto Journal and SD - Space Design amongst others. In 1991 Nitschke's major work The Architecture of the Japanese Garden. Right Angle and Natural Form, was published in three different languages. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons; 1 edition (October 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854902911
• ISBN-13: 978-1854902917
• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 3.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,051,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book on Tadao Ando's design method, February 2, 2000

By 

Ron (North York, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From Shinto to Ando: Studies in Architectural Anthropology in Japan (Paperback)

This book is an extremely informative study on the Japanese concepts of space making. It demonstrates how Shinto beliefs are manifested in the traditional work of architecture as well as the work of one of the world's most reknown Japanese modern architect Tadao Ando. Unlike other books on Ando, this book emphasizes on the experiential aspects of Ando's work and his ingenious ways of manipulating sequences of space with light. These sequences are described meticulously and analyzed with a lot of penetrating insights. A truly enlightening book.