Japanese Culture

john barr

Uji-An Teahouse : Arata Isozaki :1992

The Uji-An teahouse may encapsulate how the architect, Arata Isozaki, wished to be remembered.

john barr

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

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

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

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

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

Sabi (A Matter of Life and Death)

Sabi is an important concept in Japanese aesthetics that can be difficult to grasp because there is no directly equivalent word in English.