Abstract
In the history of Japanese modern architecture, the word "Nihon-shumi(Japan-taste)" has been commonly used, though the word in present days denotes "Japonaiserie" or "Japanism" as a kind of exoticism. Tensin Okakura used "Nihon-shumi" in his articles, which meant the taste or flavor peculiar to Japanese arts and things. This word first used frequently in the controversy on the future style of Japanese architecture which was held between Yasuji Ohtsuka and Chuta Itoh in the 42 nd year of Meiji. The concept of "Nihon-shumi" was based on the concept of "national taste" which had been discussed from early time about the style of architecture by Chuta Itoh.
