Ise: Prototype of Japanese Architecture is a landmark study of the architectural and cultural significance of the Ise Shrine, written by Kenzo Tange and architectural critic Noboru Kawazoe. With an introduction by John Burchard and photographs by Yoshio Watanabe, the book presents a profound exploration of one of the most important monuments in Japanese architectural history.

The publication examines the Ise Grand Shrine, a sacred Shinto complex dating back to the seventh century that is ritually reconstructed every twenty years according to ancient traditions. This cyclical rebuilding process embodies a unique architectural philosophy in which permanence is expressed through renewal rather than preservation. The authors analyze the shrine’s structure, materials, spatial composition, and symbolic meaning, presenting it as a foundational prototype for Japanese architectural thought.

Illustrated with an extensive selection of photographs and accompanied by a glossary, chronology, and bibliography, the book places Ise within both historical and modern architectural discourse. The shrine’s significance has been widely acknowledged by architects and historians, including Bruno Taut, who famously compared its architectural importance to that of the Parthenon.