Contemporary Japanese Architecture

Question 1

Foreign Cultural influences of Ancient Period

Answer 1

Asuka period
Nara Period
Heian Period

Buddhism from India via China and Korea
Confucian governance and Tang urban planning (Nara and Kyoto resembled the city planning of China’s Chang’an)

Question 2

Foreign cultural influences during Medieval Period

Answer 2

Kamakura Period
Muromachi Period

Zen Buddhism from Song China to Japan
Rich trade, artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan

Question 3

Foreign cultural influences during Early modern period

Answer 3

Momoyama Period
Edo Period

Japanese trade with Europe brought Western techniques
The Edo period developed the “Ukiyo-e” architectural style, influencing many landmarks

Question 4

Foreign cultural influences during Modern Period

Answer 4

Meiji-Taisho Period

Western industrialisation and architectural styles, particularly from Britain and the US, led to an intense Westernization in Japan

Japan’s modern adaptation outpaced China, when China faced severe instability

Question 5

TRADITIONAL PERIOD : Asuka Period
Case : Horyu-ji temple, Nara

Answer 5

• The most iconic Buddhist Temple of the Asuka Period, founded by Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太⼦).

• Horyu-ji-style garan 法隆寺式珈藍: This unique layout places the Main Hall and Five-Story Pagoda side by side horizontally, rather than vertically and symmetrically along a central axis. It set a significant precedent and profoundly influenced later temple layout designs in Japan.

• Several key rebuild/modifications: Reconstruction After Fire (670 CE); Heian Period Additions (794– 1185): Expanded with additions like the Yumedono
(Hall of Dreams); Kamakura Period Reinforcements (1185–1333), structural reinforcements with evolving architectural techniques.

• Horyu-ji five-story pagoda (法隆寺五重塔), stands at 32.45 meters in height (122 feet) and is one of the oldest extant wooden buildings in the world.

• The tower has a column in the center, only seen in Japanese architecture.

Question 6

TRADITIONAL PERIOD : Nara Period
Case : Heijō-kyō, present day Nara

Answer 6

• Nara imitate the grid-like pattern (Li-Fang System) of Chang’an, influencing the future designs of cities like Osaka and Tokyo.

Question 7

TRADITIONAL PERIOD : Nara Period
Case : Tōshōdai-hi Temple, Nara

Answer 7

• Chinese monk Jianzhen (鑒真和尚) traveled to Japan and founded the Toshodai-ji Temple in 759, where he spent his remaining years.

• Recognized as one of the most typical example of early Tang style.

Question 8

TRADITIONAL PERIOD : Nara Period
Case : Todai-ji Temple, Nara

Answer 8

• Endured over a millennium of typhoons and fires, undergoing multiple reconstructions, with the most recent one taking place in 1974.

• Karahafu 唐破⾵: A unique only seen in Japanese architecture.
- Curved gable shape.
- Often found on the entrances or key structures of important buildings (e.g., temples, shrines, and samurai residences), symbolizing prestige and authority

Question 9

TRADITIONAL PERIOD : Heian Period
Case : The Phoenix Hall in Byōdō-in, Kyoto

Answer 9

• The Phoenix Hall and its Amida Buddha statue were designated as National Treasures in 1951.

• And the Phoenix Hall was selected for the design as the obverse of the 10-yen coin.

Question 10

TRADITIONAL PERIOD: Turning point of Heian and Kamakura Period
Case: Edo Castle, Tokyo

Answer 10

• The warrior Edo Shigetsugu built his residence in what is now the Honmaru and Ninomaru part of Edo Castle, around the end of the Heian period (794–1185) or beginning of the Kamakura period (1185–1333).

• A flatland city with a periphery of 14 km.

• It was lived by generals, knights and noble class.

• There were services to serve the residents.

Question 11

TRADITIONAL PERIOD: Muromachi & Momoyama Period
Case: Tenryu-ji Temple, Kyoto & Kodai-ji Zen temple, Kyoto

Answer 11

• Landscape design to achieve the artistic
conception of Song Dynasty landscape paintings.

Question 12

TRADITIONAL PERIOD: Edo Period
Case: Katsura Imperial Villa, Kyoto

Answer 12

• An Imperial residence with associated gardens and outbuildings in the western suburbs of Kyoto.

• The Edo period‘s “Ukiyo-e” (Floating World, 浮世繪) architectural style:

− Emphasis on Aesthetics of the Everyday: appreciating fleeting moments and simplicity.

− Asymmetry and Natural Flow: Organic layout mimics the casual beauty of Ukiyo-e. Its design integrates with the surrounding nature, creating a harmonious and transient beauty. Pathways and views unfold organically as one moves through the space.

− Use of Natural Materials: prioritizing natural, unadorned materials like wood, bamboo, and straw, reflecting Ukiyo-e’s focus on the beauty of simplicity and impermanence.

Question 13

What is the Meiji Restoration?

Answer 13

A period in Japan from 1853 to 1889, marked by significant political and social change.

Question 14

What years are associated with the Meiji Restoration?

Answer 14

1853-1889, with 1868 often cited as a key point.

Question 15

What was a significant outcome of the Meiji Restoration?

Answer 15

Japan transitioned from being an Asian nation to joining the ranks of European powers.

Question 16

What did the Japanese government do from the 1860s?

Answer 16

Started employing European architects to design buildings and teach in universities.

Question 17

What began during the Meiji Restoration in Japan?

Answer 17

The modern architectural education.

Question 18

What was the Meiji Restoration?

Answer 18

A period of rapid modernization and westernization in Japan during the Meiji era.

Question 19

Who was Tatsuno Kingo?

Answer 19

A prominent architect in Japan from 1854 to 1919.

Question 20

Where did Tatsuno Kingo study?

Answer 20

He studied at today’s Tokyo University, College of Engineering.

Question 21

Who taught Tatsuno Kingo?

Answer 21

Professor Josiah Conder from London.

Question 22

What institution did Tatsuno join in 1898?

Answer 22

Today’s Tokyo University, College of Engineering.

Question 23

What types of buildings did Tatsuno design?

Answer 23

Banks, hospitals, stations, and convention halls in Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China.

Question 24

How is Tatsuno viewed in the context of architecture?

Answer 24

He is considered a representative of the first generation of modern architects in Japan.

Question 25

How does the timeline of Tatsuno’s work compare to that in China?

Answer 25

Tatsuno’s work began about 40 years earlier than that of China.

Question 26

What is the architectural style associated with Tatsuno?

Answer 26

‘Tatsuno’ style, also known as the King of Meiji Architecture.

Question 27

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD: Famous Architects who theorised modern design theories

Answer 27

Kenzo Tange (1913-2005)
Kisho Kurokawa (1934-2007)
Fumihiko Maki (1928-)

Question 28

Theories of Kenzo Tange

Answer 28

Hiroshima Peace Center

• The park’s open, serene layout symbolizes hope for peace and renewal.

• The Cenotaph is designed to align directly with the A- Bomb Dome, visually connecting the memorial with the tragic site.

• The arch-shaped Cenotaph resembles ancient Japanese tombs, blending modernity with cultural heritage.

Question 29

Theories of Kisho Kurokawa

Answer 29

Metabolism
Metamorphosis
Symbiosis

Question 30

What is Metabolism ?

Answer 30

Metabolism (1960s)：
• Founded by a group of six young artists in 1960 including the architect Kisho Kurokawa and Fumihiko Maki.

• Proposed as a reaction to the machine age of the Modern Movement by placing the emphasis on life forms.

• The biological process of metabolism, which involves continuous growth and change in organisms was interpreted as metaphors for architecture.

• For the metabolists, change is embraced as a necessary part of architecture, with buildings designed to provide opportunities for modification according to changing needs and uses.

Question 31

What is metamorphosis?

Answer 31

Metamorphosis (1970s)：
• Based on the biological process of metamorphosis which represents a discontinuous change in form in
organisms, e.g., from caterpillar to butterfly, to enable a ‘leap’ in architectural experience.

• This leap is created by the intervention of an intermediary space (grey space, 灰空間) which acts as a buffer between the different elements.

Question 32

What is symbiosis?

Answer 32

Symbiosis (1980s)：
• Proposed by Kisho Kurokawa in the 1980s. The symbiosis theory draws together the concepts of metabolism and metamorphosis to embrace change and coexistence of opposing elements in architecture, e.g., part and whole; interior and exterior; history and
present; environment and architecture; human and technology.

• Rooted in Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes that:
 The world is in a constant cyclic motion, going through different states of existence.
 There exists a third state between two different states in the continuous cycle of existence.

Question 33

Theories of Fumihiko Maki

Answer 33

Compositional form
Mega form
Group form

Question 34

What is Compositional form?

Answer 34

• Individual buildings planned according
to the rules of composition.

• Examples: planned cities such as
Chandigarh or Brasilia.

Question 35

What is mega form?

Answer 35

• Large system in which various functions
of the city are incorporated.
• Example: the plan for Tokyo 1960 by
Kenzo Tange.

Question 36

What is Group Form?

Answer 36

• Evolved from a system of generative
elements in space as in traditional
towns and villages.

Question 37

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD: Representative Japanese Modern Architects

Answer 37

Tadao Ando (1941-)
Isozaki Arata (1931-2022)
Kengo Kuma (1954-)

Question 38

Who is Tadao Ando?

Answer 38

Tadao Ando is a representative Japanese modern architect born in 1941.

Question 39

What is Tadao Ando’s signature material?

Answer 39

Ando’s signature material is exposed, smooth concrete, celebrated for its simplicity and refined craftsmanship.

Question 40

How does Ando use raw concrete in his designs?

Answer 40

He elevates raw concrete to an aesthetic feature, achieving a minimalist and modern feel.

Question 41

What architectural style is Tadao Ando known for?

Answer 41

Ando is known for minimalism and geometry, employing clean lines and pure geometries.

Question 42

What role does light play in Ando’s architecture?

Answer 42

Light is a fundamental element used to create emotional depth and spiritual resonance.

Question 43

Can you give an example of Ando’s use of light?

Answer 43

An iconic example is the Church of the Light, where natural light cuts through a cruciform slit, symbolizing hope and introspection.

This design showcases the interplay of light and space.

Question 44

How does Ando integrate his designs with nature?

Answer 44

Ando’s designs seamlessly integrate architecture with the natural environment, framing landscapes or incorporating water, wind, and vegetation.

Question 45

What feeling do Ando’s buildings evoke?

Answer 45

His buildings often evoke a sense of tranquility and contemplation, influenced by Zen philosophy.

Question 46

What is emphasized in Ando’s spatial design?

Answer 46

His designs emphasize the experience of moving through space, creating moments of pause and reflection.

Question 47

Who is Isozaki Arata?

Answer 47

Isozaki Arata was a representative Japanese modern architect who lived from 1931 to 2022.

Question 48

What is the fusion of Japanese tradition and modernism in Isozaki’s work?

Answer 48

Isozaki integrates Japanese spatial principles, such as simplicity, balance, and modularity, with modernist forms and materials.

His designs reinterpret Ma (i=), creating dynamic relationships between solid and void.

Question 49

What is Isozaki’s experimental and theoretical approach to architecture?

Answer 49

Isozaki treats architecture as a medium to question cultural and historical conventions, often exploring new forms, materials, and technologies.

Question 50

How did Isozaki’s aesthetic change in the 1980s?

Answer 50

In the 1980s, Isozaki embraced postmodernism, incorporating playful and symbolic elements into his designs.

Question 51

What themes are present in Isozaki’s monumental structures?

Answer 51

Isozaki’s monumental structures evoke a sense of timelessness and reflect his interest in history and the passage of time.

Question 52

What characterizes the forms in Isozaki’s work?

Answer 52

Isozaki’s work spans diverse styles, from brutalist influences in his early works to sleek, postmodern, and futuristic forms in later projects.

Question 53

What is the philosophy of ‘In-Between’ in Isozaki’s architecture?

Answer 53

Isozaki’s work explores the transitional nature of architecture, bridging opposites such as past and future, tradition and modernity, and East and West.

Question 54

Who is Kengo Kuma?

Answer 54

Kengo Kuma is a representative Japanese modern architect known for his innovative designs that emphasize natural materials and connection to nature.

Question 55

What materials does Kengo Kuma commonly use in his designs?

Answer 55

Kuma is known for his innovative use of wood, bamboo, stone, and paper, showcasing the natural beauty of materials.

Question 56

How does Kengo Kuma’s work connect to nature?

Answer 56

Kuma emphasizes the integration of architecture with nature, often blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Question 57

What is Kengo Kuma’s approach to monumental structures?

Answer 57

Kuma avoids monumental, imposing structures, favoring designs that feel light, approachable, and scaled to the human experience.

Question 58

How does Kengo Kuma reinterpret Japanese tradition?

Answer 58

Kuma reimagines traditional Japanese architectural elements like engawa (verandas), shoji screens, and wooden joinery, combining them with contemporary techniques.

Question 59

What is a key characteristic of Kengo Kuma’s designs regarding light?

Answer 59

Kuma’s designs often incorporate light-permeable facades, creating airy and luminous spaces.

Question 60

How does Kengo Kuma prioritize sustainability in his designs?

Answer 60

Kuma prioritizes sustainability by using locally sourced materials and energy-efficient designs, reducing environmental impact while enhancing cultural connection to the site.