Japanese Architecture: An Exploration of Elements & Forms

by Mira Locher, Kengo Kuma (Foreword), Ben Simmons (Photographer)

Thick thatched roofs and rough mud plaster walls. An intricate carved wood transom and a precisely woven tatami mat—each element of traditional Japanese architecture tells a story.

In Japanese Architecture, author Mira Locher explores how each of these stories encompasses the particular development, construction, function and symbolism inherent in historic architectural elements. From roofs, walls and floors to door pulls and kettle hangers, Japanese Architecture situates these elements firmly within the natural environment and traditional Japanese culture.

Japanese architecture developed with influences from abroad and particular socio-political situations at home. The resulting forms and construction materials—soaring roofs with long eaves, heavy timber structures of stout columns supporting thick beams, mud plaster walls flecked with straw and sand and the refined paper-covered lattice shoji screen—are recognizable as being of distinctly Japanese design. Designed with strong connections to the surrounding environment, these constructed forms utilize natural construction materials in ways that are both practical and inventive.

This fascinating architecture book provides a comprehensive perspective of traditional Japanese architecture, relating the historical development and context of buildings and the Japanese garden, while examining the stories of the individual architectural elements, from foundation to roof.

Genres: Architecture, Japan, Nonfiction, Art, Design, Interior Design, Japanese Literature

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2010

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are beautiful but the text is VERY repetitive and only mildly enlightening. I don't read a lot of architecture books but often times the obvious was highlighted and a picture would have been a much better substitute. The pictures do not compliment the text and I often looked on the internet for images that were described (poorly) in the text. Matters of construction, history, and culture are glossed over or ignored.

This books answer the "what" questions, but not the "why" or the "how" questions.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something is seriously wrong when a book like this does not get more exposure and readers (4 on Goodreads). Tuttle has produced a book that explores the history of Japanese architecture with beautiful photos and examples on every page. Materials, techniques, and culture are explored with explanations for everything from overhanging rice straw eaves to kamado cook stoves. A treasure to read, especially if you're going out into the Japanese countryside, or just wishing for the escape.

[Juli Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really lovely overview of Japanese architecture and garden design. Chock full of photographs and diagrams. The text is at times overly technical and detailed (a whole section on different ways plaster is laid, for example), but there is a good amount of analysis and insight about Japanese culture, mixed in.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own several very good books on the subject, all much older than this book. This book is a bit broader than many, covering bits like Okinawa, close ups of materials, tools and other items not covered in pre-digital camera days. It includes scads of high quality color photos. What's missing? Almost any form of floor plan or elevation drawings, something my older books have in abundance. It used to be cheaper to get a draftperson to draw up plans than to process and print color photos. I'd be tempted to add it to my collection, after all plans are only important if you're running an RPG based on Japan or building real houses.

[sara frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

my rating is based only on the pictures in this book. i read almost none of the text (and there was quite a bit of it).

[Brent Chiu-Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely structured and great pictures. The pictures do a good job of inspiring the same feelings you have when you see these structures in person.