Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings by Edward Morse

A charming and engaging account of the author’s experience in Edo-period Japan, focusing largely on domestic architecture. The lovely drawings combined with the author’s sharp eye make this one of the better English-language reference works.

The Japanese House: A tradition for Contemporary Architecture by Heinrich Engel

Engel dissects Japanese architecture to its core components in what is a seminal work in the field.

Measure and Construction of the Japanese House by Heino Engel

A seminal work on the materials and construction techniques employed in traditional Japanese architecture. This is a very engaging and thorough work on the subject, covering everything from the unique system of measurements, to the Itazu, to the process of fitting and joining.

The Japanese House: In Space, Memory, and Language by Nakagawa Takeshi

A newer entry to the field that combines beautiful photography with an overview of all components in a traditional Japanese dwelling.

What is Japanese Architecture by Kazuo Nishi

This is a great overview of traditional Japanese architecture. The drawings are especially detailled and help give an idea of how Japanese buildings are constructed. The first half focuses heavily on temple, shrine and castle architecture, however the second half holds the most interest to the student of kyomachiya. It details vernacular dwellings such as minka and shoin-style architecture, in addition to a wonderful introduction to Japanese city planning. This should probably be on every student of Japanese architecture’s bookshelf.

Traditional Domestic Architecture of Japan by Teiji Itoh

Itoh is an authoritative source in the Japanese architecture field. This work focuses primarily on Minka, traditional farmhouses, however much of the material translates to the Kyomachiya.

Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan by John Roderick

Minka are fascinating in their variety and construction. The author gives an account of the surprisingly difficult process of purchasing, then moving a traditional Japanese farmhouse.

Kaempfer’s Japan: Tokugawa Culture Observed by Engelbert Kaempfer

Kaempfer, a German naturalist, provides one of the few accounts by westerners of Edo-period Japan, including a narrative of the annual journey undertaken by the Portuguese from their trading colony in Nagasaki to the Shogun’s palace along the Tokaido road. Kyoto, even then a significant city, is mentioned almost in passing, however his account provides us with much insight into Edo-period life.