Japanese Architecture

john barr

Oct 6, 20232 min read

Japan Stories

Japan Stories: Three views of Japanese architecture by photographers living and working there.

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

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|23 : Saga Prefectural Museum : Yoshitaka Uchida and Daiichi Kobo

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|22 : Chiba Prefectural Central Library : Masato Otaka

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)

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|21 : Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre : Kenzo Tange

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|20 : National Theatre of Japan : Takenaka Corporation (Hiroyuki Iwamoto)

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|19 : Oita Prefectural Library : Arata Isozaki

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|18 : 114th Bank Headquarters : Nikken Sekkei

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|17 : Kyoto International Conference Centre : Sachio Otani

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|16 : Tokyo Olympic Stadium : Kenzo Tange

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|15 : St. Mary’s Cathedral : Kenzo Tange

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|14 : Nanzan University : Antonin Raymond

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|13 : San-Ai Dream Centre : Nikken Sekkei

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|12 : Gunma Music Centre : Antonin Raymond

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.

Do|Co|Mo|Mo|Japan|11 Ozaki Memorial Hall : Ichiro Ebihara

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.