Katsura: Imperial Villa Paperback – September 19, 2011

I have been to Katsura several times, and have several books on Katsura villa, and this new book is the best.This is how architectural books should be produced and photographed so other architects and people interested in architecture can actually learn and use the book not only as a beautiful catalog but as a tool.The beautiful photographs are architecturally photograhed in 1 point perspective except for details, gardens, and exterior. This is helpful as you can deduct the proportion and scale of the rooms. Most of the drawings have measurements, and are very well drawn.The introduction and text by Isozaki is excellent for understanding Katsura and Japanese architectural idealogy. Additionally, there are several past texts by Tange, Taut, Gropius, and etc. to get different perspectives.Katsura, along with several temples and villas have been meticulously maintained for the last 400 years.

The photographs are what sell this book, and they are indeed gorgeous. Having seen Katsura in person, I can confirm the way the images capture the nature of the palace complex. But, for me, what really sells this book are the articles. Well written, insightful, the articles inform about Katsura but also expand the implications of Katsura, delving into what Japanese architecture and aesthetics means from both Eastern and Western points of view.

A beautiful book that captures the nuanced sense of exquisite refinement inherent in this ancient palace - magnificence devoid of florid ornamentation. The beauty pictured here is deceptively simple, well-documented, carefully photographed, with a rich text - this book is an experience that enriches one's soul with its subtle beauty and profound appreciation of the exquisite architecture, as well as an understanding of the delicate sensibilities that brought the palace into being. A book to be treasured.

This gem of a book provides beautiful photos and intensive and detailed information on Japan's most outstanding architectural masterpiece and its perfect gardens. Not to be missed by those who appreciate Japan's unique aesthetic sense.

A big heavy square book loaded with great pictures, floorplans, elevations, and history!

Best book about Kastura. Nothing out there can beat this one.

Quite interesting book if you are fond about japanese architecture. Sensible, full of inspiration... Its pictures will make you travel to the place and time.

If you want some solicitude and repose, here is a book for you.This book is extremely well crafted to show the essence of Katsura.Status of Katsura in Japanese garden art production does notdemand any further explanation. Katsura is to Japan, what Alhambra is to Andalusia!In it, I found that disciplinary simplicity can be profound and strong.Especially in a world where one is inundated with images and media.Katsura is an art that invites physical presence and spiritualmeditation. In that sense, it's an irony and a paradox to recommend toexperience Katsura thru a book...Katsura is an art of water & island body formation/ relationallypositioning pavilions / sculpting stones/ borrowing landscapes/ layingstone/ perfecting the shoji screens and combing the thatched roofsnaming the places and tea pavilions to arouse imagination/ etc, etc, etc.However, what makes it stand out is that each mode of art does not standalone. It had synergetic effect by being relational to one and another.Combined together, the density of experience exponentially grow tochallenge infinitum. Hence, here is an art that tells us, "the whole iseternally greater than the parts."The parts are orchestrated in such a way to arouse the art of seduction.Not in a flamboyant manner, but in a subtly simple manner. Photographicimages in the book tell us the multi-faceted, yet almost tea-ceremoniallycalm, story of Katsura. The book will make you retreat from the bustlingnoisiness of daily life.Isozaki's nicely written essay propels the experience of Kasura toa thinking level. He has placed his viewpoint in contrast to the earlierwriters such as Bruno Taut/ Sutemi Horiguchi/ Kenzo Tange. Tange'searlier writing was Mondrian-like, cropping Katsura to a abstract level.The essay by Isojaki sets the curatorial tone to the images. It's veryexpository, revealing indigenous and rustic elements.The book also provides the hidden dimension of buildings. By providingfield-measured drawings, readers will be able to analyze quintessentialelement of plans and sections of traditional buildings. Five pastwritings of world-class architects and critics are also part ofpublication.

A magnificent book on this iconic building and garden. Very much to my regret Amazon UK did an abysmal job with its packaging.

なぜ、日本の出版社がこのような本を作らないのか。写真、図面、評論すべて深くかつ網羅的だ。

Zwar hat kein König dort gewohnt, aber dennoch gibt es da einige Paralellen zum berühmten Bauwerk in Potsdam. Weil nämlich die bauende Adelsfamilie dieses Landhauses nicht wirklich Geld hatte, aber viel Disziplin und noch mehr Bildung, ist hier ein kleines Paradies entstanden, das auf der ganzen Welt seinesgleichen sucht. Klein, aber fein war die Devise.Die Optik von Katsura hat dann natürlich nichts mehr mit Sanssousi gemein. Gebaut und weitergebaut worden ist das ganze in der Zeit, in der sich Japan weitgehend vom Rest der Welt isoliert hatte. So bietet Katsura heute vielleicht den ursprünglichsten Eindruck der vielen, noch zu besichtigenden Adelssitze in Japan.Ein Highlight von Katsura ist natürlich auch die Gartengestaltung, insbesondere die Perspektiven, die sich aus mehreren kleinen Teehäusern auf die kleinen Seen, Brücken, Berge und Täler bieten. Es ist unglaublich, mit welcher Kreativität hier eine künstliche Landschft geschaffen wurde, die immer wieder Überraschungen bietet.Im Jahr 2005 war leider nur der Garten vor Ort zu besichtigen. Für mich war der Band deshalb eine hervorragende Ergänzung zum Besuch, da er auch die Inneneinrichtung der Häuser dokumentiert.Nicht nur ein schöner Bildband, sondern auch eine Empfehlung für jeden Kyotobesuch.

日本建築とデ・ステイルの共通点は以前より指摘されているが、それを写真を通すことでより明確にする。時に舞台装置と言われる桂離宮だけれど、フレーミングという操作を通すことで、あたかもモンドリアンの絵画のように。とにかく写真がとてもグラフィック的で美しい。図面の緻密さは新建築社から出ているものの方が良いかもしれない。しかし幾つか出ている桂離宮を納めた写真集の中でも、磯崎の撮る写真が段違いで美しいと感じさせられました。