Summer School in Japan: A Different Perspective on Architecture, Society and Everyday Life
Petra Kozáčková,
a student at the Faculty of Architecture, Brno University of Technology, took part
in summer school at Setsunan University in Osaka this
summer. The programme, which focused on Japanese culture, traditions and social
customs, offered her not only the experience of studying in a different
environment, but also a new perspective on the relationship between
architecture, society and place.
According to
Petra, Japanese architecture is all about functionality and tradition. Photo:
Petra Kozáčková
Why did you
choose a summer school in Japan in particular?
To be honest, I
chose the summer school in Japan purely out of curiosity. I hadn’t read up on
Japan at all beforehand. In my eyes, it was a country I might visit by chance
one day. It was mainly my parents who encouraged me to apply, and eventually,
after looking into it more deeply, I became interested in the programme’s theme
and the topics of the individual lectures.
What were your
expectations when you set off?
I didn’t know what to expect myself. I’d never visited an Asian country before, and before I left I’d only read the bare minimum about Japan for tourists. I was most worried about the language barrier and finding my way around in a new environment. In the end, after a few necessary conversations and train journeys, it was fine. People are very helpful and friendly. I was quite taken aback that many people don’t speak English, but despite that, we always managed to make ourselves understood using various gestures and communicate what we needed. On one occasion, when they couldn’t describe in words how to get to the bus stop, they personally escorted me there and showed me the way.
According to
Petra, Japanese society is similar to Czech society in many ways. Photo: Petra
Kozáčková
Was there
anything during the programme that surprised you in terms of architecture,
urban planning or the approach to design in Japan?
As someone who
really only knew the bare minimum about Japan from a tourist’s perspective,
what surprised me most was that they have to adapt their architecture not only
to the climate but also to natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods. I
found the layout of the buildings interesting; they’re always separated from
one another, and there aren’t any long, connected blocks of flats or
prefabricated housing estates like we have here. As for the approach itself, we
didn’t explore that in great depth, as the programme focused mainly on their
culture, traditions and social customs.
So what exactly
did the course involve, and what did you take away from it for your further
studies?
As part of the
course, we focused mainly on learning about their culture and customs. Their
society is different in many respects, yet in many others quite similar to our
own. We explored everything from their approach to religion right down to everyday
gestures and rituals. It was really refreshing and completely changed my view
of Japan as a country. For my studies, it gave me a different perspective, for
example, on how society functions and on respecting the context and environment
in which we, as people, find ourselves.
Everyday
architecture for ordinary people is much simpler in Japan, Petra believes.
Photo: Petra Kozáčková
Apart from the
lessons themselves, did you have any experiences or encounters that left a
lasting impression on you?
All the chance
encounters with foreigners were brilliant – everyone was very friendly and
open. What I’ll certainly remember most is the dinner to which I was invited by
a student I’d become friends with at university. Her family ran an
old-fashioned restaurant where she, her mum and even her grandmother all
worked. I really enjoyed the dinner and was even given a free slice of cake.
They’re very hospitable, and it was nice that I wasn’t the only one who was
curious. They were also interested in our part of the world, as they’d never
visited Europe before.
Do you see
anything in the Japanese approach to architecture or the use of public space
that could be inspiring for the Czech context?
It struck me that their approach to the architecture of homes and private housing is more modest than here. People there don’t feel the need to build the biggest and most striking houses; rather, they take care to ensure that a building blends into its surroundings, is functional, and adheres to standards and their traditions. Whether it’s sleeping areas with tatami mats, a precisely designated raised area for taking off shoes at the entrance, or respecting the principles of room orientation. Everyday architecture for ordinary people is much simpler. It isn’t necessarily about copying this approach exactly here at home, but rather about realising that it is possible to live a fulfilling life in this way, and that people can be just as happy doing so.
| Inserted by: | Rychnovská Anna Mgr. |
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