Japanese Turn To
Modern Houses
Chicago
JAPANESE houses constructed
along the lines of some of the
most extreme modernistic homes
in America, and ultra modern
American furniture, are proving
popular in all parts of Nippon, according to two Japanese businessmen visiting in America.
"People in Japan are forsaking
the traditional Japanese style of architecture, and in the present building boom which is sweeping the
islands, the American modernistic
type of dwelling is everywhere in
evidence," so stated Masashi Shimizu, one of the leading merchants of
Osaka, who has been studying
trends in modern American furniture at the Merchandise Mart here,
and placing 1936 commitments with
American manufacturers.
"The current vogue for the ultramodern type of dwelling had its inception in Japan many years ago,
when Frank Lloyd Wright designed
the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. After
this structure was completed many
individual homes in Japan showed
the Wright influence," said Mr.
Shimizu.
"Today, Japanese homebuilders
are using much lightweight steel
framing, prefabricated siding and
modern insulation. Angular construction, elimination of architectural excesses and placing of windows at the corners of houses, are
now typical modern features widely
adopted by homebuilders in my
country."
Mr. Shimizu stated that America's
trade balance with the Japanese is
not as unfavorable to this country
as many persons have claimed. He
pointed out that American furniture
automobiles, tires and building supplies are now being widely sold in
the Orient.