What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture (Paperback)

~ (Author), Kazuo Hozumi (Author) "The novel from which this passage is quoted (The Five-story Pagoda by Koda Rohan) takes as its theme the imperishability of artistic inspiration..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A useful, concise compendium of infor mation about Japanese architecture, copiously illustrated with line drawings which augment text descriptions of Jap anese structures. Encyclopedic in ap proach, the book is arranged by chap ters that cover broad building types. Within each chapter, particular styles, important works, and notable cities are discussed. Augmenting the text is a list ing of sites, a bibliography, and an in dex. A good book to satisfy the increas ing interest in Japanese culture. Recommended for most libraries. Ed ward H. Teague, Univ. of Florida Libs., Gainesville
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770019920
• ISBN-13: 978-4770019929
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #278,655 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source material!, April 28, 2004

By	Brian A. Burke - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been searching for a book such as this for quite some time. I purchased this book as source material for 3D modeling, and all the hand drawn illustrations are simply amazing! Many interior, exterior and close-up shots of Japanese architecture. Several floor plans and isometric views of various homes and temples.

Having only recieved my book the day before, I have not had a chance to read it from cover to cover, but what I have read was informative and well written. While you may not be able to build your very own "to code" Japanese home with this book, as a source of information and inspiration, it's a tremendous book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent architectural overview of the historic sites, July 14, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: What Is Japanese Architecture? (Hardcover)

Very nicely illustrated & well written. Includes many detail drawings. Covers Temples, Shrines, Palaces, Castles ordinary residences, Teahouses, etc. Includes background, construction techniques, design, carpentry etc. Over 300 illust.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to Japanese Architecture, June 3, 2009

By	Ronin - See all my reviews

I'm a big fan of this book. Inside the front cover is an excellent map of Japan that shows the locations of all the temples, castles, houses, gardens, etc covered in the book, which is also a boon for planning travel. Inside the back cover is a very helpful chronology of the architecture from 10,000BC to 1868.

Even though all the illustrations are hand drawn b/w, they offer excellent detail. There are city plans and numerous architectural schematics. The book is divided in to 4 sections:

1) Worship: The Architecture of Buddhist & Shinto Shrines
2) Daily Life: Residential & Urban Architecture
3) Battle: Castles & Castle Towns
4) Entertainment: Architecture in the Sukiya Spirit (philosophy of restraint, simplicity, & refinement)

Within the 4 chapters are 60 sub-chapters. In the back there are some helpful sections like directions to the sites in the book, a short list of museums, and a good bibliography for additional reading.

I liked the section on Kanazawa, and recommend people visit there to experience one of the few remaining castle towns. Overall and excellent book.