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Bundle 112: Meiji Era: Western Architecture Transforms Japan

In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Western architecture transformed Japan, as this bundle shows. The Japanese government imported architecture books. Red bricks from Europe became popular symbols of modernity. Even the term for "brick" became trendy! English architect Josiah Conder apprenticed under a Japanese artist, then designed Western-style buildings in Tokyo, turning one area into a London-style business district. His Japanese disciples also designed prominent Western buildings in Japan. Modernization changed architectural language, too. For instance, 塔 once had exclusively religious meanings (e.g., "pagoda") but soon primarily represented a Western-style tower.
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暁
dawn
JOK: 1174
Although あかつき sounds like “red moon,” it doesn’t mean that. Learn the etymology of this yomi. Find out how dawn connects to success and enlightenment and how to say such things as “When completed, this building will be the world’s tallest.” Learn the Japanese for “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” Read about a fascinating artist and an architect with 暁 in their names.
塔
pagoda
JOK: 1651
This gorgeous photo essay explains the origins of the pagoda; presents historic pagodas in Japan; tells you how to talk about pagodas with 2, 3, or 5 tiers; and explains the "cosmology" of stone pagodas. From the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the literal and figurative Tower of Babel, you'll find out about towers, also discovering what it means to call someone a control tower.
舶
ship
JOK: 1698
Understand which kanji to choose when communicating about ships versus smaller boats. Discover terms for goods imported by sea, and find out how the use of airplanes changed the use of those words. Also learn to say, “We imported books by sea” and “Not a few people think that any foreign-made articles are superior to those made in this country.”
瓦
tile
JOK: 1973
Architecture buffs: don't miss this one! As the fantastic photos show, old Japanese buildings often feature striking roofs with alternating ridges and valleys of semi-cylindrical tiles, as well as elaborate decorative caps and unusual rooftop figurines. By studying 瓦 (a new Joyo kanji), you'll learn to talk about all this and so much more! You'll find out about the unexpected glamor of bricks in the Meiji era, 瓦 in words about metaphorical collapses, and this shape as a radical in several fascinating kanji.
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