
Home
James Fox looks at the clean minimalism of the Japanese home, which has been exported around the world, from modernist architecture to lifestyle stores like Muji.
In the final episode, Dr James Fox explores the art of the Japanese home. The clean minimalism of the Japanese home has been exported around the world, from modernist architecture to lifestyle stores like Muji. But the origins of this ubiquitous aesthetic evolved from a system of spiritual and philosophical values, dating back centuries. James visits one of Japan's last surviving traditional wooden villages, and the 17th-century villa of Rinshunkaku, and reveals how the unique spirit of Japanese craftsmen (shokunin) turned joinery into an artform - creating houses without the need for nails, screws or even glue. Exploring some of the traditional arts of the Japanese home (where even food and flower arranging have been elevated to the level of art), James also investigates attitudes to domestic culture in modern Japan, meeting photographer Kyoichi Tsuzuki, chronicler of Japan's crowded cities and tiny apartments. Other highlights include a performance by calligrapher and artist Tomoko Kawao and a visit to the hometown of Terunobu Fujimori, one of the most singular and playful contemporary architects working in Japan today.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
You are at the last episode
![]()
The Japanese House
Discover a major exhibition of postwar Japanese architecture at London's Barbican.
Clips
![]()
Yoshiaki Nakamura: The Craft of Carpentry
Duration: 01:41
![]()
The Way of Shodo: artist Tomoko Kawao
Duration: 02:35
![]()
Too High Tea House (Takasugi-an)
Duration: 02:24
Music Played
![]()
Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Vega
![]()
Jon Hopkins
The Low Places
![]()
Max Richter
Dream 13 (minus even)
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | James Fox |
| Series Producer | Matthew Springford |
| Executive Producer | Richard Bright |
| Producer | Jude Ho |
Broadcasts
- Mon 26 Jun 201721:00
- Tue 27 Jun 201703:00
- Mon 5 Mar 201821:00
- Tue 6 Mar 201803:00
- Tue 26 Mar 201920:00
- Wed 27 Mar 201903:00
- Tue 10 Dec 201900:00
- Thu 21 May 202001:00
- Wed 26 Aug 202023:00
- Wed 8 Sep 202123:30
- Fri 24 Sep 202102:40
- Thu 20 Oct 202201:05
- Fri 21 Oct 202202:50
Featured in...
![]()
Japan Season
BBC Four explores the art, culture and history of Japan.






