Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings

"Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings" by Edward Sylvester Morse is a study of Japanese homes and life during a period of transformation. The book captures the details of Japanese houses, exploring designs, materials, and customs connected to home life when Japan was changing quickly. The author begins by talking about his experiences while studying the houses, while also pointing out that Western culture was impacting Japanese society and building styles. Morse notes the need to record traditional houses as they were, also addressing wrong ideas and criticisms from Westerners, and seeks to offer a better look at houses in Japan, explaining that they represent the way of life and values of the people who live in them.