History Of World Architecture: Oriental Architecture Volume 2

Tracing the evolution of architecture in the seven major regions of Central Asia and the Far East, this second volume of a 2-volume set covers Central Asia, China, Korea and Japan. The first volume covers India, Indochina and Indonesia. In spite of the complexity of their history over many centuries, there are undeniable links and cross-influences between them, not only in matters of style, form and technique, but also in taste and their views of religion and spirituality. It is what the author would call "unity in diversity". The spread of Hinduism and Buddhism were the two most important factors, not least because most of the architecture is religious.