The definitive book on machiya showcasing their traditional appearance
and recent transformation explained in bilingual text.
From private residences to renovated properties operating as businesses,
this book introduces everything you need to know about Machiya, also
including never-before-seen cultural properties, with detailed and
accessible commentary in bilingual text. Machiya are traditional wooden
townhouses found throughout Japan and typified in the historical capital
of Kyoto. Machiya in Kyoto have kept their traditional architectural
form and community, creating a historic and traditional cultural
atmosphere that attracts many tourist from all around the world. Machiya
have become valuable cultural heritage, as many machiya have disappeared
and have been replaced by modern houses. In this book readers can see
and feel the ideas and wisdom of the people in Kyoto, who made full
useof machiya design and the architectural characteristics of that
optimize space and practicality, while keeping within the tradition.
This book will not only be a perfect architectural reference book but
also a great photography book to enjoy the delicate beauty of Japan.