The Contempory Tea House—Japan's Top Architects Redefine a Tradition

The tea house is one of Japans most original buildingsa very small, very simple space consisting of tatami mat, tokonoma (the alcove where wall scrolls are hung and flower arrangements placed), ro (the sunken stove where tea is heated) and nijiriguchi (the half door through which guests enter) . For generations, Japanese architects have embraced the challenge of the tea house despite severe formal constraints.

Now, this beautiful and fascinating volume takes the traditional tea house and turns it on its head. An informative introduction explains the history of the tea ceremony and the tea house. Then, in chapters written by three of the worlds most renowned architects -- Arata Isozaki, Tadao Ando, Terunobu Fujimori as well as a fourth with text by Hiroshi Hara and Kengo Kuma, the book looks at twenty modern tea houses in Japan. Here are five men who share a fascination with exploring architectural space limited to the smallest possible spatial unit -- and the tea house is the perfect medium for satisfying this passion and curiosity.

Most of these structures are used solely for the tea ceremony, but a few have become spaces for meditation, or for simply spending quiet time alone, with a drink or a good book. Through insightful text, superb photographs and detailed drawings, The Contemporary Tea House introduces each architects philosophy and creative concerns, as well as the artistic techniques behind their constructions in materials ranging from wood and titanium to concrete, stone, and paper. The book also offers the specifications of each building, a glossary and profiles of the architects.

Recognized as one of the worlds leading architects, ARATA ISOZAKI is a frequent and sought-after lecturer who has been a visiting professor at UCLA, University of Hawaii, Rhode Island School of Design, Columbia, Harvard and Yale Universities. Among his projects are a large number of public and cultural buildings, including The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the COSI museum in Columbus, Ohio and Team Disney in Orlando. TADAO ANDO has served as a visiting professor at Yale,Columbia , and Harvard Universities and now holds the chair of a Special University Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. His work in the U.S. includes the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, St. Louis; the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth; Morimoto restaurant in New York City; a house, stable and mausoleum for former fashion designer Tom Ford, near Santa Fe (in progress); the expansion of the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts (in progress); as well as the new Tokyo Tower, which will be the tallest structure in the world upon completion. Ando was awarded the AIA Gold Medal from the American Institute of Architects in 2002. TERUNOBU FUJIMORI is presently a professor at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo. His major research was in architectural history and design and he has written many essays and books. He began designing buildings only when he was in his 40s. His first piece was the Jinchokan Moriya Historical Museum in 1991. He is also known for his Grass House, the Akino Fuku Museum and the Yoro Insects Museum, among others.