japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book

featuring works by tadao ando, kazuo shinohara, and more, the volume highlights brutalism as an enduring element in japan’s heritage.

myrto katsikopoulou September 25, 2024 3 min

prefer designboom on google

a photographic journey into japan’s Brutalist Architecture

In his latest book, Okinawa-based photographer Paul Tulett explores the world of Japanese Brutalist architecture, highlighting its raw beauty and often-overlooked details. Through a collection of 200 carefully composed images, Tulett captures the bold geometric forms and rugged textures that define these concrete structures. His work offers readers a fresh perspective on the artistry within this distinctive architectural style, shedding light on an intriguing aspect of Japan’s architectural heritage.

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 1 — Togo Murano, Tanimura Art Museum, Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture, Japan

architectural paradoxes Through the Lens of Paul Tulett

Emerging in the aftermath of World War II, Brutalist architecture in Japan is defined by its geometric forms, functionality, and unconventional use of unfinished concrete, revealing the material’s imperfections. This architectural movement marked a significant break from Japan’s traditional design principles, blending global Brutalist influences with distinctly Japanese elements that reflect the country’s culture and history.

Paul Tulett (find more here), an expert on Japanese Brutalism, has traveled extensively across the country, capturing hundreds of photographs of this unique aesthetic. His work highlights the paradoxes within Brutalist architecture: the ruggedness of raw concrete alongside refined design, and the way these structures harmonize with urban landscapes while maintaining modernist principles and traditional Japanese motifs. Featuring the work of renowned architects such as Kenzo Tange, Tadao Ando, and Kazuo Shinohara, this volume reveals how Japanese Brutalism, with its fusion of global and local influences, has become a captivating and enduring style in Japan’s architectural heritage.

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 2 — Okinawa Prefectural and Art Museum

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 3 — Tadao Ando, Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art, Kobe, Japan | all images © Paul Tulett

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 4 — Kyoto International Conference Center New Hall

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 5 — Takasaki Masaharu, Kihoku Astronomical Museum, Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

japanese-brutalist-icons-pages-paul-tulett-photography-book-designboom-full-width — Takasaki Masaharu, Kihoku Astronomical Museum, Kanoya, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 6 — Miyagi House

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 7 — Kenzo Tange, Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 8 — Nago Civic Hall and Center

japanese brutalist icons leap from the pages of paul tulett’s photography book - 9 — Okinawa Prefectural and Art Museum

project info:

name: Brutalist Japan
author: Paul Tulett | @brutal_zen
publisher: Prestel Publishing | @prestel_publishing
pages: 240