This is a short film from 1998 by NHK looking at traditional temple architecture in Japan and its effect on the modern day architectural and interior design.
The film first looks at some examples of traditional wooden shrines and temples and shows the features that are outstanding in them of naturalness, simplicity and elegance.
The film then shows how these principles have pervaded architecture in the country up to modern times, and also influenced interior design as well.
We then see some traditional craftsmen working at rush mats and the paper room dividers that are so common in Japanese homes.
For a short film this manages to pack in a lot of information. It will be followed up in the next couple of weeks with a couple of films which look at the same subjects from different angles.
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to see an album of stills click here