Most part of the article I do not agree with Donald Richie because present Tokyo is different from twenty years past Tokyo in his article. Tokyo has been chaged dramaticallya and quickly in these twenty yaears. For example, he said "There is no imposed and consequently logical pattern such as one sees in the west." (p.32, Richie) Becauese the Japnese Construction Standard Act has been changed, citizens of Tokyo have to plan logically when they make building or house. Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Mid Town are examples because town planner organized those buildings. Some part of Tokyo became been ordered town like Kyoto. People have to care about city view.
Furtheremore, he said, "the traditional Japanese architectural styles are now largely neglected." It not true anymore because many people realize the value of Japanese conventional architectural styles: the traditional Japanese house made from nature materials; therefore, it very ecological, comfortable, and healthy. For example, tatami mat controll humadity and temprature. It keeps room warm in the winter and it keeps room cool in Summer. It absorb moisture in rainy day. Therefore, many young Japanese architectures try to fuse taditional Japanese and new style. Some of them repair and live the traditional Japanese house.
The "Sign and Symbols" part was not interesting for me because I already know about those things.
2 comments:
Wow I didn't know all those interesting environmental properties of tatami mats existed! I think what Donald Ritchie was referring to when he said that traditional Japanese architecture was being ignored was only the exterior appearance of the buildings, and that he did not even think to consider such interior or environmental aspects like the tatami mats that you brought up. I do agree that Tokyo doesn't have a set building style, obviously because of the lack of land space and that Tokyo cannot afford to have region specific styles, but maybe the building haphazardness is Tokyo's unique style!
yea i'm tryin to get some tatami mats now
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