Japan Supreme Court Building
Shin’ichi Okada

A dual challenge was faced by the architect in conceiving of this work; how was he to embody the modern democratic forms of authority as distinct from feudal imperialism and religious power ? how was he to express civic symbolism and monumentality in the language of modernism? Okada attempted to draw inspiration form both Japanese and Western architectural traditions……

Wall and courtyard         

The complex is located on the edge of a moat surrounding the Imperial Palace; it faces the only significant open spaces in downtown Tokyo, and has a clear orientation toward the Palace precinct and seat of continuing  ceremonial authority. The organizational concept of the court stems from the site appropriation and planning strategy of the Shinderu Palaces Complexes and other precedents. The court is likened to an interwoven fabric of building pavilions, and courtyard gardens in the Japanese aristocratic residence traditions, while its rusticated massive stone walls evoke images of fortified palace construction.

Space and sky

"The spaces of the court building are characterized by a Western sense of vertical fluidity rather than the horizontal fluidity of the Japanese tradition." The tall dramatic space reaching for the sky symbolizes the community of a modern democracy.

Material and meaning

Concurrent with tradition since the Edo period, the materials and   coloration were carefully regulated to denote status.

Place, Community and Law