The Architect as an ethnographer. Fieldwork and representation in Kon Wajirô’s research, 1917-31

Abstract

This article discusses the main crossovers between Architecture and Ethnography from two approaches: first, from a historiographical review, it examinates the conditions of disciplinary transfers developed along the twentieth century. Secondly, it discusses the methodological approaches of the emerging field of Architectural Ethnography. Thus, the article introduces situatedly the contributions to the field made by the Japanese architect Kon Wajirō between 1917 and 1931. This period was marked the transition to modernity, a period of great social, cultural and political transformations in Japan. The aim of this paper is to explore these disciplinary crossings from which have been omitted, so far, both in architecture and anthropology. Also, the article contributes to underline the role of Kon Wajirō in a broader methodological discussion on architectural and ethnographical studies.