The reception and understanding of Japanese architecture in the United States c. 1900

three concrete examples

Abstract

This study surveyed three houses built in the United States circa 1900-Massachusetts' Matsuki Bunkio house, New York's Shofuden, and California's Huntington Japanese House-to consider the characteristics, differences and reception of Japanese architecture built in the United States. Modified architectural elements, excessive decoration and the emphasis or disregard of period styles differentiated the houses from domestic architecture in Japan. The wide variety of ownership objectives for initial construction, histories and socio-economic class of the three buildings also demonstrate the multiple roles and perceptions of Japanese architecture in the U.S. around 1900.