Publications & Recognitions

（BOOKS IN JAPANESE ）

1995. Some Thoughts about Paperback Reading　-from Raymond Chandler to Paul Auster-

1996. Japanese Space in Architecture （Both books are published by Shinpu-syobou.)
　　　　(This is selected as "Selected Books for Public Libraries" by Committee on Book Selection.)

1998. Space of Modern Architecture in Japan（published by Riko-tosyo)

2000. Reading the Space from "The Tale of Genji "（published by Kajima Institute Publishing Co.,Ltd.)

2003. Design for Local Area in Japan（published by Akita Sakigake Newspaper Co.,Ltd.)

2003. Introduction to Architecture （Chapter 3 "History of Architectural Space in Japan" published by Gakugei Publishing Co.,Ltd.）

2004. Seiichi Shirai and Modern Japanese style in Architecture (published by Dewaji )

2005. Reading the Space from Seiichi Shirai's Architecture （published by Gakugei Publishing Co.,Ltd.）

2006. Reading haiku poet Basho from Narrow Roads to Oku （published by Kajima Institute Publishing Co.,Ltd.）

2007. History of Architectural Space in Europe -Composition of Wall- （published by Kajima Institute Publishing Co.,Ltd. ＜in Japanese＞）

2009. History of Architectural Space in Europe, second serie -Transition from Wall to Column-
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（published by Kajima Institute Publishing Co.,Ltd. ＜in Japanese＞）

2010. Towards the Space -From Architectural Space to History of Space-
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（published by Adthree Institute Publishing Co.,Ltd. ＜in Japanese＞）

2013. The Tail of Genji　Approach between Nobleman and Noblewoman -Light and Darkness in Shindenn-zukuri Residential Complex-
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　（published by Kahokushinpo Newspaper Co.,Ltd. Sendai ＜in Japanese＞）


（AWARDS FOR DESIGN COMPETITION）

1974. Mixed Family House Competition -second prize-
　　　　　　　by Mainichi Newspaper Company

1975. House Competition by `the Japan architect` journal (SHINKENCHIKU)
　　　　　- Honorable Mention -(Juror, Arata Isozaki)

1977. House Competition by `the Japan architect` journal (SHINKENCHIKU)
　　　　　- Honorable Mention -(Juror, Peter Cook)



（ARTICLES & PAPERS）

・Characterization of space around Japanese traditional buildings:
　Transitions of layout plan and meaning of space of darkness inside wooden temples
　Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture Xl, STREMAH Xl (2009)
　STREMAH 2009 Wessex Institute
　M. Yasuhara¹, T. Sakiyama^1
　　1Department of Architecture and Environment Systems, Akita Prefectural University, Japan
Abstract :
　Transitions of layout plans of Japanese traditional wooden temple buildings started in
Asukadera Temple Compound since 588 A.D. In this temple compound, Pagoda (Tower)
and Main Hall (Golden Hall, Kondo) are surrounded by Peristyle (Kairo). Pagoda and Main
Hall are placed inside of Peristyle and the court.
　Buildings (Pagoda and Main Hall) surrounded by Peristyle are important constituents of
the temple buildings. Initially, Pagoda used to be placed in the center. In the next transition
stage, Pagoda and Main Hall stand parallel side by side. In the next stage Main Hall is placed
in the center. In the following stage Main Hall is still the principal building of the layout, but
Pagoda goes outside of Peristyle. Thus, the importance of buildings shifted from Pagoda to
the Main Hall.
　There are common characteristics among the Japanese traditional temple buildings like
Pagoda and Main Hall, which have huge space of darkness inside of the building. Except for
the first floor of the building, there exist only structural members without any floors.
Furthermore, facades of the buildings have dummy windows, which cannot be opened to let
the air and the natural light come in. It means these windows are meant merely for their
external appearance. Thus, these buildings are designed only for the facade without giving
any consideration to the interior space except for the first floor.

・Characterization of Space around Japanese traditional buildings:
　"Visible Music" on the approach to Horyuji Temple, Saiin (West Compound) 」
　Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture X, pp.53-60, STREMAH X (2007)
　STREMAH 2007 Wessex Institute
Abstract :
　The psychological sense inherent in the architectural space cannot be presented in architectural
drawings, plans, sections, and elevations. What’s needed is not History of Architectural Style but
History of Architectural Space. For example, while approaching a building an observer will be
influenced by constantly changing scenes and environment. Around Japanese traditional
architectures, these changing scenes occur under the influence of “inner domain of eaves” as
proposed in the first author's earlier publication "Japanese Space in Architecture". This paper
shows sequence of views and characteristics of space observed while approaching Horyuji Temple,
Saiin (West compound) which is considered as the oldest wooden architecture (C7 AD~C8 AD)
existing in the world, and was registered as the UNESCO “World Heritage” site in 1993.
　In addition, a new concept of “Visible Music” is proposed to characterize certain unique features
of Japanese wooden architecture. It is quite different from the concept of “Frozen Music”. As soon
as the observer can see the underside of eaves the roof disappear from the observer's sight. Such
sequences tend to occur continuously while approaching common Japanese Traditional Buildings as
well. The lines of radiation in this observation process do not always appear and disappear from the
nearest building. That is, the order in which they appear does not always follow the order of distance
from the nearest building to the farthest building. A particular attention is paid to the role of roofs
and eaves in the perception of Japanese traditional architectures. “Visible Music” is piped as one
approaches Horyuji Temple, Saiin (West compound).

・「Space of SHINDEN Residential Complex(SHINDEN-ZUKURI)
　　　　Part 1. Lighting from the side」(2002)　FORMA Vol.16, No.4　pp.367-374, 2001）
Abstract :
　 It is shown that all the light in the interior of SHINDEN residence came horizontally from
the side, and there was no light from the top of the architecture. It is emphasized that the
light from the side characterized the interior space of SHINDEN residence.

・Doctoral Dissertation (in Japanese)
　「Researches Concerning the Characteristics of Space in the Shinden Residence Reading from The Tale of Genji」

・「Characterization of Space around Japanese Traditional Buildings.
　　　　Part 1. The Case of Horyuji Temple」(1997) FORMA, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 65-70.
Abstract :
　The architectural space in psychological sense can not be presented in architectural
drawings, plans, sections, or elevations. But, as an observer approaches a building he will
be influenced by constantly changing scenes and environment. This paper shows
sequence of views and characteristics of space observed while approaching Horyuji
Temple, Saiin in Nara, and a new concept "the domain of eaves" is proposed. A particular
attention is paid to the role of the roof and eaves in perception of traditional, Japanese
architectures.

・「Characterization of Space around Japanese Traditional Buildings.
　　　　Part 2. The Physical and Psychological Effects of View of Eaves」(1997) FORMA, Vol.12, No.1, pp. 71-74.
Abstract :
　"Domain of the Eaves" is a certain boundary, where an observer loses sight of the roof and
begins to see the underside of eaves. This concept is applied to the tea ceremony house.
Furthermore, a relation of this domain with an acoustic effect is suggested.