UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
June 1 1905
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE THESIS PREPARED UNDER MY SUPERVISION BY
Shigetsura Shiga, B.S. 1893.
ENTITLED Future Development of Japanese Dwelling Houses
IS APPROVED BY ME AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE
OF Master of Architecture
N. Clifford Ricker
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF Architecture
Future Development of Japanese Dwelling Houses.
Shigetsura Shiga, B.S.
Introduction.
It was comparatively recently that it became in vogue for the educated circle in Japan to tour over Europe and America to observe and investigate the manner and customs of those civilized nations. And at length they deduced a conclusion that the so-called civilization of the West is not only based on superficial progress of materialism but it had profound root in the mental training of the citizens; comparison and discussion have taken place in every institution of education throughout the Empire. This is one of the procedures of pushing one step further toward the advancement of this country. We hear also too often of late years as to the questionable qualities of the behavior of citizens toward the public, and so much talk about the improvement of general customs of the country. All these are only reflections arising from sharp observation of intelligent Japanese Globe trotters who carefully compared with keen eyes all the conduct and behavior of natives.
The manners and customs of a nation are only the reflection of means of existence, which mainly consist of clothing, food, and shelter; what we call improvements of national living is in the main improvements in these three things. Other thing, such as etiquette, form only an insignificant part which necessarily comes from the method of living; when the latter undergoes a change a corresponding change will follow in the former.