Japan Stories
Japan Stories: Three views of Japanese architecture by photographers living and working there.
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john barr
Apr 20, 20234 min read
Uji-An Teahouse : Arata Isozaki :1992
The Uji-An teahouse may encapsulate how the architect, Arata Isozaki, wished to be remembered.
john barr
Oct 7, 20228 min read
Sumiyoshi Taisha, Osaka
Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Japan and represents one of the three native architectural styles.
john barr
Sep 8, 20226 min read
Izumo Taisha, Shimane Prefecture
Izumo Taisha is one of the most ancient Shinto Shrines in Japan, and central to Japan's creation myth. But what role does it play today?
john barr
Aug 11, 20227 min read
Horyuji Temple, Nara Prefecture
Horyuji is said to contain the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world, but what does that really mean?
john barr
Mar 1, 20221 min read
20th Century Japan in 20 Buildings
This book tells the story of 20th century Japan through investigation of 20 buildings that reflect the major forces that formed modern Japan
john barr
Jan 7, 20223 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|23 : Saga Prefectural Museum : Yoshitaka Uchida and Daiichi Kobo
The design of the Saga Prefectural Museum offers a complete synthesis of structural and functional requirements.
john barr
Jul 28, 20212 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|22 : Chiba Prefectural Central Library : Masato Otaka
Chiba Prefectural Library, designed by Masato Otaka, is an example of the architect's theory of PAU (Prefabrication, Architecture, Urbanism)
john barr
May 20, 20214 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|21 : Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre : Kenzo Tange
The Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre is one of the few built examples of the theories developed by the Japanese Metabolist group.
john barr
Mar 31, 20212 min read
National Theatre of Japan : Addendum
The National Theatre of Japan, like the 12th century Shoso-in on which the design is based, is an elegant 'black box' housing treasure.
john barr
Mar 24, 20212 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|20 : National Theatre of Japan : Takenaka Corporation (Hiroyuki Iwamoto)
The National Theatre of Japan, like the 12th century Shoso-in on which the design is based, is an elegant 'black box' housing treasure.
john barr
Feb 5, 20213 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|19 : Oita Prefectural Library : Arata Isozaki
One of the first independent designs by Arata Isozaki, whose body of works records the architecture of the 20th century.
john barr
Jan 11, 20213 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|18 : 114th Bank Headquarters : Nikken Sekkei
An example of Nikken Sekkei's, technically-accomplished, clean-cut modernism that looks more to the USA than Europe.
john barr
Dec 16, 20204 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|17 : Kyoto International Conference Centre : Sachio Otani
Part of the Japanese government's ambition to host major international conferences at a scale to compete with the UN in New York.
john barr
Jul 24, 20204 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|16 : Tokyo Olympic Stadium : Kenzo Tange
Kenzo Tange’s Yoyogi Stadium came to symbolise the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and Japan's return to the world stage.
john barr
Jul 8, 20203 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|15 : St. Mary’s Cathedral : Kenzo Tange
St. Mary's Cathedral Tokyo was opened in the same year as the Yoyogi Olympic Stadia designed by Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
john barr
May 29, 20204 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|14 : Nanzan University : Antonin Raymond
Nanzan University illustrates Antonin Raymond's belief in Modernism and efficiency but also contains the seed of its corruption.
john barr
Feb 4, 20204 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|13 : San-Ai Dream Centre : Nikken Sekkei
The San-Ai Dream Centre has stood the test of time due to a design that maintains a clear focus on the purpose of the building.
john barr
Feb 4, 20208 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|12 : Gunma Music Centre : Antonin Raymond
The Gunma Music centre raises questions as to whether its form is a result of function or the pursuit of style.
John Barr
Oct 22, 20198 min read
Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|11 Ozaki Memorial Hall : Ichiro Ebihara
The Osaka Memorial Hall marks the introduction of parliamentary democracy to Japan and the possibility of a new beginning after WWII.
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