Known as the founder of 'modernology', the Japanese scholar Wajiro Kon (1888-1973) was an avid observer and recorder of changes that occurred to the landscapes and people of Tokyo, a city that underwent dramatic urban change in the early days of the nineteenth century.

This book looks back on Wajiro Kon’s wide-ranging work as an architect, designer, and folklore researcher, showcasing not only sketches and photos, but also his architectural and design drawings.

Known as the founder of 'modernology', the Japanese scholar Wajiro Kon (1888-1973) was an avid observer and recorder of changes that occurred to the landscapes and people of Tokyo, a city that underwent dramatic urban change in the early days of the nineteenth century.

This book looks back on Wajiro Kon’s wide-ranging work as an architect, designer, and folklore researcher, showcasing not only sketches and photos, but also his architectural and design drawings. Kuroishi Izumi provides an insightful essay on the more unknown aspects of Wajiro Kon’s work and his critical ideas on philosophy, science and history.