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Tange Kenzō: Monumental Architect of Modern Japan

  • In his design for the Kagawa Prefectural Government Building, a modernist edifice completed in 1958, Tange used pillars and beams of concrete to represent the structure of a traditional wooden Japanese building. (© Jiji)

    In his design for the Kagawa Prefectural Government Building, a modernist edifice completed in 1958, Tange used pillars and beams of concrete to represent the structure of a traditional wooden Japanese building. (© Jiji)

  • St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo, completed in 1964, was one of the works that won Tange international attention. (© Pixta)

    St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo, completed in 1964, was one of the works that won Tange international attention. (© Pixta)

  • The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is the central edifice of the Peace Memorial Park, completed in 1949. This work marked Tange’s professional debut. (© Pixta)

    The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is the central edifice of the Peace Memorial Park, completed in 1949. This work marked Tange’s professional debut. (© Pixta)

  • The Yoyogi National Gymnasium, featuring a dramatic suspended roof, was completed in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics. (© Pixta)

    The Yoyogi National Gymnasium, featuring a dramatic suspended roof, was completed in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympics. (© Pixta)

  • Pope Francis visits Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on November 24, 2019. (© Jiji)

    Pope Francis visits Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on November 24, 2019. (© Jiji)

  • Expo ’70 Festival Plaza: The 1970 world’s fair in Osaka was a nationally organized event aimed at showing the world the fruits of Japan’s dramatic economic growth. (© Jiji)

    Expo ’70 Festival Plaza: The 1970 world’s fair in Osaka was a nationally organized event aimed at showing the world the fruits of Japan’s dramatic economic growth. (© Jiji)

  • Completed in 1991, the twin-tower Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is an icon of Tokyo as an international city. Tange worked on this landmark in tandem with Suzuki Shun’ichi, governor of Tokyo from 1979 to 1995. (© Pixta)

    Completed in 1991, the twin-tower Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is an icon of Tokyo as an international city. Tange worked on this landmark in tandem with Suzuki Shun’ichi, governor of Tokyo from 1979 to 1995. (© Pixta)

  • The FCG Building, completed in 1996 as the headquarters of the Fuji Television Network, was one of the works designed by Tange as part of the Tokyo waterfront development project he undertook in his later years. The design was inspired by his admiration of Singapore as an international financial hub. (© Pixta)

    The FCG Building, completed in 1996 as the headquarters of the Fuji Television Network, was one of the works designed by Tange as part of the Tokyo waterfront development project he undertook in his later years. The design was inspired by his admiration of Singapore as an international financial hub. (© Pixta)

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