Promotional Information

Drawing on both his own extensive experience as a practicing architect and a broad grasp of world history, Arata Isozaki takes on the century-old debate over what is (or should be) 'Japanese' about Japanese architecture. This self-reflective critique is fresh and timely, and in the process provides provocative arguments about the shape of all Japanese history. -- Henry D. Smith II, Professor of Japanese History, Columbia University Iconoclastic and erudite, opinionated and insightful, wily and contrarian this exciting book should be widely read not only by architects, but by anyone interested in Japan. Isozaki's essays are at once autobiographical and oracular; the collection, written over decades and discussing buildings spanning centuries, establishes his personal struggle with being Japanese in a global era as one that offers provocative insight into the culture of Japan yesterday, today, and tomorrow. -- Dana Buntrock, Department of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley

About the Author

Arata Isosaki is a leading Japanese architect. His works include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, the Volksbank Center am Postdamer Platz in Berlin, the Team Disney Building in Orlando, and the Tokyo University of Art and Design.

Reviews

"Drawing on both his own extensive experience as a practicing architect and a broad grasp of world history, Arata Isozaki takes on the century-old debate over what is (or should be) 'Japanese' about Japanese architecture. This self-reflective critique is fresh and timely, and in the process provides provocative arguments about the shape of all Japanese history."--Henry D. Smith, II, Professor of Japanese History, Columbia University "Iconoclastic and erudite, opinionated and insightful, wily and contrarian this exciting book should be widely read not only by architects, but by anyone interested in Japan. Isozaki's essays are at once autobiographical and oracular; the collection, written over decades and discussing buildings spanning centuries, establishes his personal struggle with being Japanese in a global era as one that offers provocative insight into the culture of Japan yesterday, today, and tomorrow." Dana Buntrock , Department of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley "Iconoclastic and erudite, opinionated and insightful, wily and contrarian -- this exciting book should be widely read not only by architects, but by anyone interested in Japan. Isozaki's essays are at once autobiographical and oracular; the collection, written over decades and discussing buildings spanning centuries, establishes his personal struggle with being Japanese in a global era as one that offers provocative insight into the culture of Japan yesterday, today, and tomorrow."--Dana Buntrock, Department of Architecture, University of California, Berkeley