Architecture of Japan—General/Premodern/Modern and Contemporary

Abstract

Japanese architecture has long had varying expressions and historical interpretations both inside and outside the geographic boundaries of the island nation. While the earliest structures date back to the Jōmon period (c. 14,000 bce to c. 300 bce), the profession of the architect as a specialist in designing buildings using Western building construction did not emerge until the Meiji period (b. 1868–d. 1912). Up until this time, the master carpenter was both the designer and builder, and was particularly well versed in wood-frame construction. The discipline of architectural history within Japan also developed during this time, led by Itō Chūta (b. 1867–d. 1954), whose study of Hōryūji temple in contrast to the Parthenon situated the Japanese architectural canon within an international context. While studies of Japanese architectural history have focused on the religious structures of Buddhism and Shinto, foreign observers and specialists such as Edward Morse (b. 1838–d. 1925), author of Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings (originally published in 1886), documented the vernacular built environment. Domestic architecture has subsequently been the subject of a wide range of studies in its premodern and modern incarnations. Moreover, the ravages of earthquakes, fires, wars, and developers have exacerbated the rapid transformation of the Japanese built environment from the 19th century to the present. The history of modern Japanese architecture is thus presented through the historical periods from the opening of Japan to the West, post–World War II development, and contemporary trajectories. In addition to a bibliography of individual architects, urbanism, and Japanese gardens have been included in this article to present the broader Japanese architecture integrally with the built and natural environments. The bibliography of Japanese architecture reflects this great variety through time and differing domestic and international contexts. English-language scholarship has long relied on visual interpretation, shaped by the subjectivity of historical periods and personal interests and expertise. While comprehensive in-depth English accounts covering the earliest periods to the present are limited, with most recent scholarship focusing on the modern period (1868–), the following provides a framework of themes and typologies within historical contexts that may serve as a starting point for inquiry and further research. For clarity, all names are listed following English convention, with given name first and family name second; macrons are used for long vowels. Some Japanese names have multiple spellings in English.