Junzo Sakakura (1901 - 1969)
Junzo Sakakura (1901-1969) is a key figure in modern Japanese architecture. Trained at the Imperial University of Tokyo, he traveled to Paris in the 1920s, where he made connections with renowned architects, notably Le Corbusier. He worked in his studio from 1929 to 1936, an experience that profoundly shaped his architectural vision. Influenced by the modernist ideas of Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, Sakakura succeeded in merging Japanese aesthetics with modern principles of simplicity and functionality. It was in Paris that he contributed to his first major work at the 1937 International Exposition, a pavilion that won a grand prize, signaling the arrival of modernism in Japan.
Upon returning to Japan, Sakakura became a central figure in modern architecture. He founded his own studio, Sakakura Junzo & Associates, which would become a hub of architectural innovation. His work combined traditional materials, such as wood, with modern design and construction techniques. He signed several iconic projects, such as the Kamakura Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. One of his core principles was to respect the cultural context of Japan while adopting the functional principles of modern architecture. This blend of tradition and innovation made him a pioneer of modernism in Japan, and his influence endures today, both in Japan and internationally.
Sakakura also played a crucial role as a mentor and educator, training a new generation of architects. Furthermore, he welcomed Charlotte Perriand to Japan, strengthening the ties between European modern architecture and Japanese design. This
Junzo Sakakura (1901-1969) is a key figure in modern Japanese architecture. Trained at the Imperial University of Tokyo, he traveled to Paris in the 1920s, where he made connections with renowned architects, notably Le Corbusier. He worked in his studio from 1929 to 1936, an experience that profoundly shaped his architectural vision. Influenced by the modernist ideas of Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand, Sakakura succeeded in merging Japanese aesthetics with modern principles of simplicity and functionality. It was in Paris that he contributed to his first major work at the 1937 International Exposition, a pavilion that won a grand prize, signaling the arrival of modernism in Japan.
Upon returning to Japan, Sakakura became a central figure in modern architecture. He founded his own studio, Sakakura Junzo & Associates, which would become a hub of architectural innovation. His work combined traditional materials, such as wood, with modern design and construction techniques. He signed several iconic projects, such as the Kamakura Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo. One of his core principles was to respect the cultural context of Japan while adopting the functional principles of modern architecture. This blend of tradition and innovation made him a pioneer of modernism in Japan, and his influence endures today, both in Japan and internationally.
Sakakura also played a crucial role as a mentor and educator, training a new generation of architects. Furthermore, he welcomed Charlotte Perriand to Japan, strengthening the ties between European modern architecture and Japanese design. This
collaboration between Sakakura, Perriand, and Le Corbusier left a lasting impact on his approach, particularly in the use of furniture and materials. His work contributed to a vision of architecture where modern functionality seamlessly merges with craftsmanship and Japanese culture, paving the way for a new era of design and architecture in Japan.*
