A Shinto gate (torii), in front of another larger temple gate, remodeled in 1592

Tuttle Books has been kind enough to donate another fascinating book to The Year of Mud, and an extra copy will go to one lucky reader. Check out my review of The Art of Japanese Architecture, by David and Michiko Young, and comment below to enter the free giveaway to get your own copy of the book.

The Art of Japanese Architecture is a sweeping look at the evolution of building styles in Japan over thousands of years, from the earliest settled cultures through the modern era.

The Art of Japanese Architecture: Book Review

The Art of Japanese Architecture attempts to detail the shifting patterns and trends in architecture in Japan over many generations, beginning with the Jomon period, 10000 BCE up through the present day. With their book, authors David and Michiko Young provide a unique opportunity to explore how building in Japan has been shaped over long periods of time by numerous factors and influences, including the first contact with China and Korea and the adoption of Buddhism, the formation of a feudal society, and eventually contact with the West.

To that effect, in a mostly chronological order, the reader is swept through the original pit dwellings of the first agricultural societies, to the dizzying number of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, to the traditional ‘minka’ farmhouse of 200+ years ago, samurai and merchant dwellings, castles, and more. As this book is an overview, there are tons of terms and dates as the scope is quite large, and the sheer number of time period names, cities, clan names, etc. can be a bit daunting. The flipside is that it does allow the reader to explore all of these fascinating time periods and movements in greater depth elsewhere.

Thankfully, the book is brimming full of photos and some very fine illustrations (by Tan Hong Yew). I’m grateful for the very descriptive captions that accompany each photo, too. The captions make each photo easier to appreciate and place in time. The photos are very high quality, and the illustrations do a fantastic job of detailing some of the finer points of construction in the temples, homes, gates, pagodas, etc. These drawings very much help to clarify the abundant terminology throughout and provide a sort of “bigger picture” look that isn’t possible through the photos alone.

The Toji temple and gardens

I appreciate The Art of Japanese Architecture for its scope, and identifying the myriad influences, including China, Korea, Buddhism, Shinto, climate, geography, war, etc. that have shaped the built environment of Japan. It’s given me a much fuller depth of understanding of the country’s history, and simultaneously it’s also caused me to ponder many questions I still have.

Since I’m biased towards peasant / agrarian architecture, I would have liked to see more coverage on that end of the spectrum, and less of the abundant temples and shrines. (My favorite image in the book is a massive community work effort to re-thatch a Gassho style farmhouse, with 100 people working on the roof alone!) Given that this is an overview, however, I can understand the book’s greater focus on aristocratic and religious architecture. On that note, the sheer number of these incredibly elaborate buildings that have been constructed (and constantly re-built) over time is hard to believe. It’s amazing how much energy has been spent on re-construction as the result of fire alone. Wow.

The very fine interior of the Kusakabe house, with massive posts and beams

I recommend The Art of Japanese Architecture for anyone interested in getting that “bigger picture” view of traditional building in Japan. This is very much written from the historical perspective, so put your time traveling shoes on. There’s plenty to absorb here through the descriptive text, gorgeous photos, and excellent illustrations.

Win Your Own Copy of The Art of Japanese Architecture

Okay, so now for the giveaway. Do you want to win your own copy of Michiko and David Young’s The Art of Japanese Architecture? Follow these very simple steps (it’s actually just one step, really)!

• Comment on this post, and tell us one reason why you’re excited about adding this book to your collection.
• Please be sure to leave your full name and email address, or else your name will not be entered in the drawing.
• The drawing will take place November 14, at 8:00 A.M., and the winner will be announced shortly afterwards. We will choose a winner at random. Note, too, that I will add all giveaway participants to The Year of Mud newsletter.

So… go ahead, comment, and cross your fingers!

A beautiful lacquered gate at the Nakamura house in Wajima City