Japan's wooden heritage : a journey through a thousand years of architecture

Japan's Wooden Heritage: A Journey Through a Thousand Years of Architecture brings together essays by architectural historian Fujimori Terunobu, photographs by Fujitsuka Mitsumasa, and commentary by structural engineer Koshihara Mikio that originally appeared in Kateigahō, Japan's premier magazine of art and culture, supplemented with additional essays by Fujitsuka Mitsumasa. What distinguishes this volume is its selection of 23 locations-including well-known temples and shrines but also lesser-known structures-to represent a broad scope of architectural styles, functions, and time periods; the outstanding photographs; and the distinct approaches taken by each of the three essayists. Fujimori engagingly illuminates where each building stands in the context of the evolution of Japanese architecture. Focusing on origins, he places each building in a deeper context beyond its superficial characteristics. Fujitsuka's essays describe his efforts to capture the essence of each site through his photography, recounting episodes from the shoots that give a visceral sense of being there. His photographs employ rarely seen camera angles and his particular sensitivity to light and shadow. Koshihara brings the perspective of a structural engineer to each building, describing distinctive construction methods and how they contribute to earthquake resistance. Filled with new discoveries for the reader, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in Japan's architecture, history, and culture.