Towards a Nude Architecture. A Visual Compendium of Japanese Hot Springs - Hardcover

Zohar, Yuval

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9462088802 ISBN 13: 9789462088801

Publisher: NAI Publishers, 2025

Synopsis

A deep dive into the hidden world of Japanese hot springs, from fabled origins to modern manifestations

As one of the most volcanically active geographies in the world, the islands of Japan gush with nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs, or onsen, of varying temperatures, colors and mineral compositions. When superimposed over the country's history, their timeline winds its way through ancient religions, warring empires, medical marvels and modern day pop-culture, forming a vital part of the national identity.
Combining photos, drawings, collages and diagrams from over a decade of travel across the country, Towards a Nude Architecture explores this narrative through an architectural lens, presenting a visual journey of water and steam spanning centuries and geographies. In three chapters examining past, present and future, the book looks at the spiritual roots of bathing, the diverse structures built around the tradition and the lasting influence of this poetic mingling between architecture, nature and the naked body. Facing declining visitors and increased privatization, compounded by recent global crises, the need to promote and preserve these bastions of public space is more crucial than ever.
Yuval Zohar is an architect and designer working internationally, he has spent the majority of his career in Asia and resides in the countryside onsen town of Yugawara, Japan.

About this title

From the Back Cover

• A deep dive into the hidden world of Japanese hot springs, from fabled origins to modern manifestations


• Chronicling centuries of soaking through the eyes of an architect


• How I learned to stop worrying and love the bath: reinvigorating the public realm with communal architecture

As one of the most volcanically active geographies in the world, the islands of Japan gush with nearly 30,000 naturally occurring hot springs, or onsen, of varying temperatures, colors, and mineral compositions. When superimposed over the country’s history, their timeline winds its way through ancient religions, warring empires, and modern day pop-culture, forming a vital part of the national identity.

Towards a Nude Architecture explores this narrative through an architectural lens, presenting a visual journey of water and steam spanning centuries and geographies. Across three chapters examining past, present, and future, the book looks at the spiritual roots of bathing, the diverse contemporary structures built around it, and the lasting influence of this poetic mingling between architecture, nature, and the naked body. Facing declining visitors and increased privatization, compounded by recent global crises, the need to promote and preserve these bastions of public space is more crucial than ever.

Edition details

• Publisher: NAI Publishers
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9462088802
• ISBN 13: 9789462088801
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240