#47 Greene, Wright, Huntington, and the Art of Japanese Architecture

Happy New Year everyone!

In today’s episode, we are going to gain a great, fundamental understanding of not just Japanese architecture, but also Japanese history, religion, politics, and more — and how these many factors play into the built environment that constitutes the country today. The Art of Japanese Architecture written by David and Michiko Young will be our guide through Japan’s story of architecture.

It begins with the ancient people who found their way to the archipelago from the continent. We learn about continental influences from Korea and China, and Japan’s patterns of isolationism and re-engagement throughout its history. This episode, and especially the book The Art of Japanese Architecture, should serve as a travel companion too. It is a rich resource, detailing important architectural and historical sites, including both well-known ones and others off the beaten trail.

The book also helped me gain insight into my own house in Japan, how it was built, where its design influences came from, and how I can incorporate historical precedent into the rebuild. Have a look at the photos below on Substack to see for yourself!

Please consider subscribing to the Local Japan Substack as a free or paid member starting at just $5 a month! Your contributions help me with production costs and the time required to record and edit podcasts and organize interviews. For this, I thank you always. Enjoy the episode!

1. The Main House (see photo on Substack)

2. The Storehouse and Warehouse (see photo on Substack)

3. The Art Deco-Inspired ‘Yoshida Sanso’ (see photo on Substack)

Credit: remotelands.com

Books Mentioned In This Episode:

• The Art of Japanese Architecture by David and Michiko Young

• Japanese Country Style by Yoshihiro Takishita

• The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: Secrets of an Ancient Woodworking Craft by Azby Brown

• Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan by John Roderick

• Beauty by Sir Roger Scruton

• Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan by Kevin Nute

Links to More Resources:

• The Gamble House

• Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House

• The Huntington Library and Gardens

• The Shoya House

• Heritage Square Museum (another site I visited in LA but forgot to mention!)

• The concept of Wa — 和

• Osaka's World Heritage Burial Mounds

• Ise Jingu’s Continuous Reconstruction

• The Giant Buddha on Nara

• Shinto Shelf — kamidana

• Shinden Style and Shoin Style Architecture

• The dark period of Mappō

• Daisho-in, Shingon temple with an underground rebirth ritual

• Jōruri-ji, Kyoto temple with a rare original Paradise Hall

• Tokonoma

• The Great Japan Earthquake of 1923

• Takayama’s Sanmachi District

• Kanazawa

• Shirakawa-go’s Thatched Roof Homes

• Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

• Sukiya-zukuri

• Katsura Rikyu — Katsura Imperial Villa

• Yoshida Sanso Ryokan

• Nishioka Tsunekazu

• Imperial Hotel of Tokyo by Frank Lloyd Wright

• The National Museum of Western Art by Le Corbusier

• Imperial Crown Style

• Buddhist Art Library

• The Historic Kaichi Elementary School

• Tokyo Station

• Japanese Post and Beam Construction

• Umeda Sky Building

• Sir Roger Scruton on modern architecture