Analysis of Architecture and Authority in Japan by William Howard Coaldrake - Book Report/Review Example

The book en d Architecture and ity in Japan written by William Howard Coaldrake is a powerful attempt to explore the most exalting exhibition of the Japanese civilization---architecture. Particularly, it tackles the close and collaborative relationship between architecture and authority in Japan. The book asserts that there is more to key structures and architectural styles than being mere signs of power of the rulers who built them. The author, William Howard Coaldrake, is a Foundation Professor of Japanese and Head of Japanese Studies from 1992-2007, at the University of Melbourne. He gained his PhD from Harvard University. He is a member and the only non-Japanese of the Kyoto Guild of Traditional Master Builders, a group that works on the restoration of Japanese heritage buildings. He compiled all the information he has gathered based on his experiences on this book and was later on published by Routledge in 1996. In terms of writing style, Coaldrake must have scored high among readers. He used first-person pronouns in writing some parts of it which would make readers get to relate to the content even more. Nonetheless, his formal tone was present all throughout the material. The author also lessened some technicality in Architecture, making it more pleasing and enjoyable to any common reader who lacks knowledge about the subject. Moreover, his use of examples and illustrations aids in deeper understanding and analysis of the subjects in point. Throughout the reading, though, it is good to look at pictures [other than those found in this book] of these architectural subjects or better yet, to personally visit the building, in order to visualize the different architectural aspects presented. In this book, before delving deeper into the analysis of Japanese architecture, the author gave a clear definition of architecture and authority. Basically, he refers to heritage buildings as the architectural subjects in point; and defines the term authority as “encompassing influence and power, dignity and legitimacy, status and hierarchy, religion and belief, and tradition and continuity, all of which play a role, but not all necessarily at the same time or in equal measure.” This definition provides readers a clear delineation of people who are in authority apart from those who are not. Meanwhile, Coaldrake, in his quest for greater knowledge, sought for numerous empirical evidences that would link architecture and authority in the history of Japan. Essentially, he examined different heritage buildings such as the Grand Shrines of Ise and Izumo, the Nara Imperial Order, the Heian Palaces and Kamakura Temples, the Castles e.g. the Nijo Castle, the Tokugawa Mausolea, the Shogunal and Daimayo Gateways, the Meiji State, and the Tange Kenzos Tokyo Monuments. He has immensely shown that all these buildings, along with their styles and structures, projected a powerful sense of authority to those who would see them. Moreover, there were several points present in this book regarding the link of architecture and authority. The author emphasizes, first and foremost, that Japanese heritage buildings were the tangible structures that contained authority; and their architectural forms served as the systematic process through which authority is contained. In relation to this, he features architecture as the by-product of the functions and activities that were made under different kinds of authority. He points out that the political, religious, and social nature of authority in the past has made the creation of these buildings possible. Secondly, Coaldrake also points out that the use of architecture, its structures, and forms, in order to express authority has long been practiced, as evidenced by Japan’s European and Asian counterparts. For example, the author provided an explanation on the role of Gothic arches that can be found in Venetian city states and in some great learning centres such as Oxford to depict political and intellectual authority in the city. In the same manner, in Japan’s Nijo Castle, for example, were displayed entrances to the rooms of the bodyguards, which are purposely done to intimidate visitors. Thus, as the author suggests, it is very difficult to separate architectural forms in understanding Japan’s history. Third, he points out that architecture has a means to communicate, whether in literal or in abstract way, the level of authority it wants to impose on others. He cited divided walls or united roofs as examples of architectural works that control human relations. In addition, he points the use of architecture in the Japanese language like that of Shoin’s [of the Meiji government] use of a decaying house as a metaphor to the crisis facing Japan at that time. Meanwhile, aside from these points, the author also chose intelligible questions that were essential in scrutinizing one-by-one the different Japanese architectural buildings. To name a few, he asked about the initial impact that the building has on its viewers; the relationship of setting with the special characteristics of the building; types of spaces enclosed and the materials used for the various parts of the building; the decorations included; the role of colour, surface, and texture of the building; its structure; and the scale and proportion between the parts of the building. Fortunately for readers, Coaldrake has answered these questions in various perspectives, i.e. in different angles, in different seasonal conditions, or different light, which is giving a more comprehensive review of the building---so comprehensive that it left behind no questions unanswered. He has utilized well both his primary and secondary sources to key in the answers to the most significant questions he had in this book, making it more convincing and overpowering compared to other books about architectural history in Japan. Overall, the book is very effective in convincing readers that there is indeed more to Japanese architecture that one can see rightly; that these buildings go beyond serving as architectural artifacts or as mere symbols of the power of its rulers. The buildings’ key structures and styles were truly intended to project the spiritual and religious beliefs, as well as the ambitious visions of its political leaders who instructed to build them. To concur with the findings of the author of this book, there is really a synchronized relationship between authority and architecture. This is evident in the author’s numerous mentions of the empirical evidences that link lines of authority to the different architectural aspects of architectural works. This book is a great reading material, especially to the Japanese, because it is in itself a great addition to Japan’s cultural history. It is also good course material to various readers; ranging from those who are studying history and architecture to those who are enthusiastic in delving deeper into the socio-political norms present in the Japanese society. This book is also a great addition to the collection of references of those who are in the academe, for it would surely grow their appreciation towards Japanese architecture. Its exquisite way of presenting the most significant pillars of Japanese culture and tradition is the proof that it is a material worth reading. Read More