This book tells the story of 20th century Japan through investigation of 20 buildings that reflect the major forces that formed modern Japan

The design of the Saga Prefectural Museum offers a complete synthesis of structural and functional requirements.

Chiba Prefectural Library, designed by Masato Otaka, is an example of the architect's theory of PAU (Prefabrication, Architecture, Urbanism)

The Yamanashi Press and Broadcasting Centre is one of the few built examples of the theories developed by the Japanese Metabolist group.

The National Theatre of Japan, like the 12th century Shoso-in on which the design is based, is an elegant 'black box' housing treasure.

One of the first independent designs by Arata Isozaki, whose body of works records the architecture of the 20th century.

An example of Nikken Sekkei's, technically-accomplished, clean-cut modernism that looks more to the USA than Europe.

Part of the Japanese government's ambition to host major international conferences at a scale to compete with the UN in New York.

Kenzo Tange’s Yoyogi Stadium came to symbolise the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and Japan's return to the world stage.

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.

Nanzan University illustrates Antonin Raymond's belief in Modernism and efficiency but also contains the seed of its corruption.

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.

The Gunma Music centre raises questions as to whether its form is a result of function or the pursuit of style.

The Osaka Memorial Hall marks the introduction of parliamentary democracy to Japan and the possibility of a new beginning after WWII.

Toyoda Hall, Fumihiko Maki's debut project, contains the seeds of ideas that he has continued to develop throughout his career...

The design of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building represents a time when modernism was concerned with social issues.

Togo Murano is one of the most popular 20th century architects amongst Japanese, and yet he is not widely known outside Japan...

The Ura House, designed by Takamasa Yoshizaka in 1956, is influenced by Corbusian ideas but also anticipates Japanese Metabolism.

The Naka Incineration Plant Hiroshima illustrates Japan's movement from a pre-modern, feudal, society to a post-modern, consumer society.

The Osaka Gas Building, designed by Takeo Yasui and completed in 1933, reflects Osaka's optimistic embrace of the future at that time.