Periplus Asian Architecture Series

Introduction to Japanese Architecture provides an overview of Japanese architecture in its historical and cultural context. It begins with a discussion of prehistoric dwellings and concludes with a description of contemporary trends in areas as diverse as country inns, underground malls, and love hotels. The intervening 12,000 years are analyzed in reference to major changes in architecture caused by Buddhist and indigenous influences, feudalism, and finally the influence of Western culture in the 19th century. The architecture book provides insights into the dynamic nature of this contrast and how it reflects the underlying diversity of Japanese culture. The comprehensive, accessible text is complemented by over 340 color photographs, diagrams, and specially commissioned watercolors.