Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Symmetrion-The Institute for Advanced Symmetry Studies, Budapest, Hungary
In Japanese culture the concept of katachi has special significance, connoting relationships and connectedness. Although katachi cannot be translated precisely, it corresponds most closely to "form," "shape," "pattern," or "Gestalt". The contemporary study of katachi is interdisciplinary and encompasses virtually all scientific and aesthetic endeavors. Katachi research seeks to bridge the gap between cultures - whether the "two cultures" of C.P. Snow or the contrasting cultures of East and West. To help achieve this aim and to foster international cooperation, the interdisciplinary symposium titled "Katachi "U" Symmetry" was convened in Tsukuba, Japan, November 21 - 25, 1994. With many participants from differing backgrounds and cultural perspectives, the symposium was the culmination of 15 years of work in the field. Like-minded researchers and philosophers came together from two movements in interdisciplinary studies of katachi and symmetry that arose in the 1980s, one in Japan, the other in Hungary. The proceedings of the symposium will stimulate and provoke the interest of scientists and mathematicians, engineers and architects, philosophers and semioticians - indeed, all those with a lively sense of curiosity and a wide-ranging intellect.
Editors and Affiliations
Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Tohru Ogawa,
Dénes Nagy
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science Structural Morphology Research, University of Tokyo and Professor Emeritus, Machida, Tokyo 195, Japan
Koryo Miura
Institute of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
Takashi Masunari
Symmetrion-The Institute for Advanced Symmetry Studies, Budapest, Hungary
Dénes Nagy
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Katachi ? Symmetry
Editors: Tohru Ogawa, Koryo Miura, Takashi Masunari, Dénes Nagy