| architecture |
| calligraphy |
| ceramics |
| clothing |
| comics |
| gardens |
| lacquerwork |
| literature |
| movies |
| music |
| painting |
| poetry |
| sculpture |
| tea ceremony |
| television |
| theatre |
| weaponry |
| thematic routes |
| timeline |
| the site |
context: architecture > modern
Why So Exciting?
I think Japanese architecture in recent decades has been the most exciting in the world. I think there are some reasons for it, beyond native genius and the country's great architectural tradition. The combination of a country devastated by war and an economic boom led to huge opportunities for architects. There was a fresh enthusiasm and respect for the achievements of the West, and a keenness to adopt its new styles and technologies. Another factor is that for some while after the war, there were no zoning regulations. That has changed, and there are rules in cities on height of buildings in specified areas, and against blocking more than a set proportion of the sunlight reaching other buildings. This, combined with the high cost of land in Tokyo especially, has led to creative solutions, ways to make the most of small plots without building too high, and shaping to avoid blocking all the light.