Home Architecture Talk
Japanese architecture popularity in west because of connection to nature it promotes?
I am writing a research paper for an Asian art class and have had a hard time finding core studies or books that can help strengthen my argument. I am approaching this paper from an anthropological view-point by stating that Japanese architecture is popular because it promotes a long-lost value in the west pertaining to harmony with nature. The culture and lifestyle of the modern human encompasses grids of cement and small areas where one is to remain in order to complete a specific task. Traditional Japanese architecture promotes open spaces, versatility of space, and congruence with the surroundings. These elements are from the East and based on culture and religion of those countries (Japan primarily, but Korea as well and earlier China), not European culture. My point is that in the 1960s when Japanese architecture first became popular, it was a time of revolution and of reconnecting with nature. Then again in the late 90s / early 00s, after the dot coms burst, the complexity of the system had us searching for harmony with the surroundings and ourselves; which Japanese architecture promotes.... I'm sounding like a broken record now. I have heard many arguments about the unfulfilled need to be in harmony with nature that the modern human has, but I have found little written work that I can use as a source. I would appreciate any sources, be it from an architectural point-of-view, psychological, sociological, behavioural biology, or anthropological point-of-view. I was hoping to use Yi-Fu Tuan's "Place and Space" as the core for my paper, but I haven't found the book anywhere (and it's too late and not worth the money to order online at this point). I would really appreciate it if someone could point me towards sources that will give me some tangible information pertaining to my thesis. Thank you.
Public Comments
- I think U R on the right track. We have a couple of books on Japanese culture and architecture. One has beautiful B & W line drawings of houses, gardens, etc. If U want to write to me I will give U the titles of these books if I can find them in the bookcase. I use these books as inspiration for some of my paintings, as I do a lot of designs from the Japan culture. This is a very interesting topic.
