Katsura

Professor Akiro Naito draws the historical development of Katsura and describes how the then aesthetic standards lead to the realization of such an elegant residence. Beautiful color photographs illustrate both the architecture and garden. Comprehensive presentation of the Katsura Imperial Villa, a villa with accompanying gardens and outbuildings in the Western suburbs of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the most important, large-scale cultural treasures of Japan. The gardens are considered masterpieces of Japanese gardening and the buildings are considered one of the major successes of Japanese architecture. The palace consists of a shoin ("salon"), tea houses and a walking garden.