Storefronts: Little Tokyo and Japan, Before and After the War

Bookstores Little Tokyo: (before the war)
Marketplaces Little Tokyo:

More Business Centers Little Tokyo:
Business Little Tokyo: (After the War)
Storefronts in Japan:



more info at www.il-littletokyo.blogspot.com/

Japanese Architecture

Japanese Architecture has changed alot throughout history. Cultural Influences such as Japanese leaders and political power, religion, war, natural disasters, and symbolism have had dramatic impact on the various styles. Each time period has it's own unique architectural form.

Originally heavily influenced by Chinese architecture from the Tang Dynasty, as well as by Korea. The need to rebuild Japan after World War II proved a great stimulus to Japanese architecture, and within a short time, the cities were functioning again. However, the new cities that came to replace the old ones came to look very different.

Little is recorded of prehistoric Japanese Architecture, but scientists have found evidence of small buildings with thatched roofs and dirt floors, or if it was a hot and humid area, floors would be made of wood.




Western building techniques, materials, and styles were brought to the cities of Japan. Materials such as steel and concrete were much different than the natural materials such as straw and wood, and are also far less flammable and destructible. The styles went from big, rectangular prisms to long and tall skyscrapers.

Visual sketch for LT interaction and community

Koyaanisqatsi, Sans Soleil


Madison

Characteristics of Japanese Architecture

In the beginning, Japanese architecture was highly influenced by Chinese Architecture following the shapes and designs of the houses. However, its characteristics soon identified as the chair-use life style of Chinese architectures and floor-sit life style of Japanese architectures, during the century of Meiji (1868-1912). It was the weather that which has enormously influenced the Japanese architectures later. Summer in Japan lasted long and deadly hot. They were not able to ignore the earthquakes as well. Therefore, the traditional Japanese architectures were built tall for ventilation, where their material helps for cooler summer and warmer winter. In case of earthquakes, many different kinds of pliable woods were used for prevention. It was the Century of Muromachi where they found the beauty of Japanese garden and begin applying the arts of garden with architectures; named Architecture of Kazlrarique.

By Yooha Jo

Maps

How to Make a Japanese School Girl Uniform

Japanese School Uniforms

Based on Wikipedia, "The Japanese junior- and senior-high-school uniform traditionally consists of a military style uniform for boys and a sailor outfit for girls. These uniforms are based on Meiji era formal military dress, themselves modeled on European-style naval uniforms. The sailor outfit replace the undivided hakama (andon bakama 行灯袴) designed by Utako Shimoda between 1920–30.[1] While this style of uniform is still in use, many schools have moved into more Western-pattern parochial school uniform styles. These uniforms consist of a white shirt, tie, blazer with school crest, and tailored trousers (often not of the same color as the blazer) for boys and a white blouse, tie, blazer with school crest, and tartan skirt for girls."