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I'm not sure where to begin with this essentialist exaggeration. First of all, the history of Japanese agitation for change, especially in Tokyo, has been nota

I'm not sure where to begin with this essentialist exaggeration. First of all, the history of Japanese agitation for change, especially in Tokyo, has been notable. Consider the massive protest movements of the 1960s and 1970s over security and labor unoin issues, and the protests against the establishment of Narita airport in the 1970s. Consider also Goto Shinpei's ambitious rebuilding of Tokyo, which had been destroyed in the 1923 Kanto earthquake, with a roads, parks, and a transit system inspired by the great cities of Europe and the US, not by Japanese tradition. Japan's current zoning system is a recent innovation, borne of the necessity of spurring growth during their long recession. The system it replaced was developed during the 20th century. You would have to look back before the late 19th century to find more traditional systems. This, along with the history of protest movements and the radical redesign of Tokyo in the 1920s, disproves the idea that Confucian orthodoxy and survival of tradition have much to do with Japan's zoning system. Furthermore, traditional Japanese urban buildings are not a whole lot like traditional Chinese urban buildings in their exterior appearance nor their interior layout.

contingencies 10y ago
Not sure why you label generalisation essentialism? Your opinion appears biased in terms of: (a) 20th century; (b) Tokyo. IMHO, rebuilding can hardly be classed as agitating for change against tradition. Furthermore, while protest movements have of course existed I would argue that they are few and relatively late to develop (massive discontent precedes) relative to other societies. It is a fact that many of Japan's oldest buildings are direct derivations of Tang Dynasty architecture, and in some cases (Kyoto) city layouts (urban plans) were directly copied from China.
- twblalock 10y ago
  > Not sure why you label generalisation essentialism? Because you generalize by deploying tired old tropes about Confucianism and a conformist, "harmonious" society, which were never really true. > Your opinion appears biased in terms of: (a) 20th century; (b) Tokyo. Well, considering that we are discussing Tokyo in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the context of the article posted here, that seems appropriate. > Furthermore, while protest movements have of course existed I would argue that they are few and relatively late to develop (massive discontent precedes) relative to other societies. Demonstrably untrue. During the late 19th century, and most of the 20th century, protests were a significant aspect of Japanese society -- more so than in many western countries. > It is a fact that many of Japan's oldest buildings are direct derivations of Tang Dynasty architecture, and in some cases (Kyoto) city layouts (urban plans) were directly copied from China. If you were talking about city street layouts instead of architecture, you should have written about city street layouts instead of writing about architecture. In any case, Kyoto is unique within Japan. Within Kyoto, the urban architecture is not really Chinese, even if the street layout used to be. The primary influence of Chinese architecture in Japan can be seen in temples, not in urban buildings.
  - contingencies 10y ago
    which were never really true {{citation-needed}} we are discussing Tokyo in the late 20th and early 21st centuries OK, scope difference. 'The Japanese Urban Zoning System' != modern Tokyo. Demonstrably untrue. During the late 19th century, and most of the 20th century, protests were a significant aspect of Japanese society -- more so than in many western countries. I would argue that extreme temporary conditions (war, forced modernization/industrialization) are a skewed sample of a society's normal behavior. If you were talking about... The title is 'The Japanese Urban Zoning System': city street layouts are closer to this than architecture. Within Kyoto, the urban architecture is not really Chinese, even if the street layout used to be. I would argue that modern architecture in Kyoto is demonstrably descended from Tang Dynasty woodworking techniques, courtyard layouts and Chang'an-style high density urban layout. The street layout is still based on Chang'an.

contingencies 10y ago

Not sure why you label generalisation essentialism? Your opinion appears biased in terms of: (a) 20th century; (b) Tokyo. IMHO, rebuilding can hardly be classed as agitating for change against tradition. Furthermore, while protest movements have of course existed I would argue that they are few and relatively late to develop (massive discontent precedes) relative to other societies. It is a fact that many of Japan's oldest buildings are direct derivations of Tang Dynasty architecture, and in some cases (Kyoto) city layouts (urban plans) were directly copied from China.

twblalock 10y ago
> Not sure why you label generalisation essentialism? Because you generalize by deploying tired old tropes about Confucianism and a conformist, "harmonious" society, which were never really true. > Your opinion appears biased in terms of: (a) 20th century; (b) Tokyo. Well, considering that we are discussing Tokyo in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the context of the article posted here, that seems appropriate. > Furthermore, while protest movements have of course existed I would argue that they are few and relatively late to develop (massive discontent precedes) relative to other societies. Demonstrably untrue. During the late 19th century, and most of the 20th century, protests were a significant aspect of Japanese society -- more so than in many western countries. > It is a fact that many of Japan's oldest buildings are direct derivations of Tang Dynasty architecture, and in some cases (Kyoto) city layouts (urban plans) were directly copied from China. If you were talking about city street layouts instead of architecture, you should have written about city street layouts instead of writing about architecture. In any case, Kyoto is unique within Japan. Within Kyoto, the urban architecture is not really Chinese, even if the street layout used to be. The primary influence of Chinese architecture in Japan can be seen in temples, not in urban buildings.
- contingencies 10y ago
  which were never really true {{citation-needed}} we are discussing Tokyo in the late 20th and early 21st centuries OK, scope difference. 'The Japanese Urban Zoning System' != modern Tokyo. Demonstrably untrue. During the late 19th century, and most of the 20th century, protests were a significant aspect of Japanese society -- more so than in many western countries. I would argue that extreme temporary conditions (war, forced modernization/industrialization) are a skewed sample of a society's normal behavior. If you were talking about... The title is 'The Japanese Urban Zoning System': city street layouts are closer to this than architecture. Within Kyoto, the urban architecture is not really Chinese, even if the street layout used to be. I would argue that modern architecture in Kyoto is demonstrably descended from Tang Dynasty woodworking techniques, courtyard layouts and Chang'an-style high density urban layout. The street layout is still based on Chang'an.