Explore the reflection of Japan’s history through its architecture, starting from its emergence as a new nation in the 19th century and the establishment of Tokyo as a Western-style capital built upon the foundations of Edo. The evolution of building materials and construction methods mirrored the changing times, and the stark contrast between tradition and modernism was evident in both Japan’s architecture and politics.

Amidst the pressures of intense Westernization, Japan rapidly developed to become a formidable rival to the world’s major powers. We will delve into how Japanese architects forged their own version of Modernism. Initially influenced by the discoveries of figures like Le Corbusier from Franco-Switzerland and Walter Gropius from the German Bauhaus, Japan soon began to produce its own 20th-century architects and develop a distinctive style. Following World War II, Kenzo Tange emerged as the first Japanese architect to achieve international acclaim, marking a significant milestone in architectural history.

In the final section of the course, we will delve into an interview-based case study titled “Exploring Tokyo Tech’s Twenty-First Century O-okayama Campus.” Tokyo Institute of Technology, also known as Tokyo Tech, boasts a unique lineage of practicing architects who also serve as professors and design the campus buildings. We will explore the works of Professor Kazuo Shinohara, a prominent Japanese designer in the latter half of the 20th century, as well as several renowned disciples from Tokyo Tech.

Through this course, our aim is to present the current state of Japanese Modernist and postmodern architecture, tracing the distance covered over the past 150 years, including the 130-year history of Tokyo Tech itself. Join us on this captivating journey through time as we examine and appreciate Japan’s architecture, gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese history and politics along the way.