Japanese Architecture

[Kurt Hansen]

I really enjoyed the lecture on Japanese architecture. Tokyo is a vibrant place with many variations of architecture. I like how you can have an ultra modern building next to a drab 1970’s apartment complex and around the corner a paper and wooden family home. Japanese architecture, although varied, does have a standard vision, the simple, clean lines and  practicality of use. With the opening up of borders, there are always cultural exchanges. The borrowing of styles from China and Europe, with its intricate detail has its place, I guess, but the simplicity and detail of traditional Japanese architecture truly has an allure for me. I’m a big fan of simplicity. It was interesting to understand how the simplicity and Zen fit together to create spaces of calm and serenity. I have a window off my bedroom and I’ve always enjoyed the view. The view is of the plants in my yard with glimpses of flowers. What I didn’t realize was that I was borrowing the view of the mountains in the background.