This book discusses the architectural influence that Japan and the West have had on each other during the last 150 years. While the recent histories of Western and Japanese architecture have been well recorded, they have rarely been interwoven.

Based on extensive research, Japan and the West provides a synthetic overview that brings together the main themes of Japanese and Western architecture since 1850 and shows that neither could exist in its present state without the other. It should be no surprise that Meiji architecture drew heavily upon Western precedents, or that Le Corbusier was strongly influenced by the Japanese minka. In considering these histories, this book demonstrates the mutual inter-dependence of both architectural cultures while, at the same time, acknowledging their differences.

The book includes insightful analysis of the Japanese influence on Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Le Corbusier, the Smithsons, Archigram and Carlo Scarpa, as well as the Western influence on Maekawa Kunio, Itō Toyoo, Isozaki Arata and Maki Fumihiko, amongst many others.

In conclusion, the book moves beyond style and structure to the Japanese concept of ma — the pause or the space between, and demonstrates how this concept has found a place in Western architecture.

Published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, which marked the start of the architectural dialogue between Japan and the West.

This book discusses the architectural influence that Japan and the West have had on each other during the last 150 years. While the recent histories of Western and Japanese architecture have been well recorded, they have rarely been interwoven.

Based on extensive research, Japan and the West provides a synthetic overview that brings together the main themes of Japanese and Western architecture since 1850 and shows that neither could exist in its present state without the other. It should be no surprise that Meiji architecture drew heavily upon Western precedents, or that Le Corbusier was strongly influenced by the Japanese minka. In considering these histories, this book demonstrates the mutual inter-dependence of both architectural cultures while, at the same time, acknowledging their differences.

The book includes insightful analysis of the Japanese influence on Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Le Corbusier, the Smithsons, Archigram and Carlo Scarpa, as well as the Western influence on Maekawa Kunio, Itō Toyoo, Isozaki Arata and Maki Fumihiko, amongst many others.

In conclusion, the book moves beyond style and structure to the Japanese concept of ma — the pause or the space between, and demonstrates how this concept has found a place in Western architecture.

Published to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, which marked the start of the architectural dialogue between Japan and the West.