Japan and the West: An Architectural Dialogue

This book explores the architectural influence of Japan and the West over the last 150 years, highlighting the mutual interdependence and differences between the two cultures. It demonstrates how the Japanese concept of ma - the pause or space between - has found a place in Western architecture.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 472 pages
\n Publication date: 13 June 2019
\n Publisher: Lund Humphries Publishers Ltd
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Over the past 150 years, Japan and the West have exerted significant influence on each other's architectural traditions. While the histories of Western and Japanese architecture have been documented separately, they have seldom been intertwined. This book, based on extensive research, presents a comprehensive synthesis that unites the primary themes of Japanese and Western architecture since 1850. It reveals that neither culture could exist in its current form without the other. It is not surprising, for instance, that the Bank of Japan in Tokyo draws inspiration from national banks in Brussels and London, or that Le Corbusier's cabanon at Cap Martin in the south of France is modeled after an eight-mat tatami room.

In exploring these histories, the book showcases the mutual interdependence of both architectural cultures while simultaneously acknowledging their distinct characteristics. It delves beyond mere style and structure to explore the Japanese concept of ma, which signifies a pause or space between. This Zen Buddhist concept has found a place in Western architecture, exemplified by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright, who incorporated Japanese design principles into his buildings.

In conclusion, this book goes beyond mere stylistic analysis to examine the profound impact of Japan and the West on each other's architectural heritage. It provides a valuable insight into the reciprocal influences, collaborations, and adaptations that have shaped the evolution of architectural design worldwide. By examining the interplay between these two cultural traditions, the book offers a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse architectural landscape that has emerged over the past 150 years.

\n Weight: 2002g\n
Dimension: 256 x 199 x 42 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781848222960\n \n