Tokyo: City and Architecture [Paperback]

Livio Sacchi (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0789312123 | ISBN-13: 978-0789312129 | Publication Date: January 4, 2005

Tokyo is one of the largest and most complex cities in the world and represents an intriguing proving ground for new ideas on architecture and urbanism. Working in Tokyo means working in the future, and often two sets of rules seem to apply to projects in Tokyo-on the one hand the city's growth is as protean as that of LA or Mexico City, yet this growth is channeled by Japan's rigid adherence to norms and rules and Japanese architecture's embrace of the theoretical and new. This book presents Tokyo as seen through its growth and design from the 19th century onward with a special focus on highlighting the deep roots of contemporary trends in Tokyo architecture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Universe (January 4, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789312123
• ISBN-13: 978-0789312129
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Book that No Tokyo Lover Should Be Without, January 4, 2009

By 

B. Evans (Chicagoland) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tokyo: City and Architecture (Paperback)

Before visiting Tokyo, I had looked through books that were, in essence, compilations of photographs of the city. But after being there for just six days, I realized how inadequate those books were. I so loved the amalgam that is Tokyo that I wanted in-depth information about it as well as an extensive photographic survey of it. Fortunately, I discovered TOKYO: CITY AND ARCHITECTURE in a Toyko bookstore. Not only are excellent colored photographs of cityscapes and buildings on almost every one of its 243 pages, but the information about the city and its architecture is fascinating. That it is well-written in non-academic prose makes the book even more of a must-read.

For those interested, I have detailed the contents in the first commentary.

5.0 out of 5 stars The future's future lives here, September 14, 2010

By 

Aritti Enrico (Pesaro Italy) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Tokyo: City and Architecture (Paperback)

I accidentally stepped into this book while browsing through the bookshelves of Borders in Melbourne, Australia, and fell in love with it straight away. Once back home I had to order it.
Not much publicized, this book is the very best title about Tokyo I have ever read. It not only describes the Japanese capital from its ancient beginnings all the way to the present day, but, more so than any other book I've come across on this subject, it captures the essence of a city that embraces past and present, mixes west with east and continues to inspire legions of architects who come here to experiment and forge their futuristic landscapes.
Sacchi's investigation is a most compelling look at this unique hybrid urban sprawl and a well of information for anybody with a fascination for big cities in general.
Not shy on the pictorial front, the text is precise and neat without being way too technical.
Highly recommended, get your hands on a copy before it gets too difficult to find.