Featuring striking photography by an expert in the field, this exploration of Japanese Brutalist architecture celebrates the surprising beauty and grace of buildings forged in concrete. Emerging in the devastating aftermath of World War II, Brutalist architecture in Japan is characterized by its geometric shapes, functionality, and unconventional use of concrete — often left unfinished to showcase the material's inherent textures and imperfections. Japanese Brutalism represented a radical departure from traditional Japanese architecture, drawing on the global Brutalist movement while incorporating elements that reflect Japan's own culture and history. In over 200 dynamic photographs, Paul Tulett captures the paradoxes inherent in these buildings: the rawness of concrete juxtaposed with elegant design, a harmonious integration into urban landscapes, and a modernist approach that still holds onto traditional Japanese sensibilities. Featuring the work of architects such as Kenzo Tange, Tadao Ando, and Kazuo Shinohara, this volume shows how global influences and Japanese sensibility left an indelible mark on the country's architectural landscape.
About the Author:
Paul Tulett is a British architectural photographer and urban planner specializing in post-war modernist and Brutalist architecture across East Asia. He holds a Master's degree in Urban Planning & Environment and now lives in Japan. His photography has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, and Condé Nast, and his Instagram account, @brutal_zen, has amassed more than 140,000 followers. He is the bestselling author and photographer of Brutalist Japan and Brutalist Korea, both published by Prestel.
