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Antonin Raymond

Introducing the pioneers who laid the foundation for PACIFIC CONSULTANTS' development
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Antonin Raymond (1888-1976)

Photo by Antonin Raymond

He left behind many masterpieces based on the principles of modernism in postwar Japan.
Architects who had a major influence on Japanese architects

An architect active in both Japan and the United States, born in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). After the end of World War I, he was approached by F.L. Wright about coming to Japan to design the Imperial Hotel, and came to Japan with Wright in 1919.
An architect active in both Japan and the United States, born in Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). After the end of World War I, he was approached by F.L. Wright about coming to Japan to design the Imperial Hotel, and came to Japan with Wright in 1919. After World War II, he returned to Japan in 1947 to survey the proposed dam construction site. He co-established U.S. Corporation PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INCOPORATED. He left behind many outstanding works based on the principles of modernism in postwar Japan.

I would never forget the night of my arrival in Japan, December 31, 1919, as I drove from Yokohama to Tokyo through narrow villages still reminiscent of feudal times. Pine and bamboo trees, adorned with New Year's decorations and lanterns, lined both sides of the village roads, created an atmosphere of cheerfulness and simple joy. Shops were open to the street, and sellers and buyers alike sat sociably, sipping tea and holding their hands over braziers. Young people in colorful kimonos crowded the middle of the road, indulging in various joyful seasonal pastimes, barely able to move our car forward. It was during this unforgettable journey, which took three and a half hours and covered fifteen miles, that I began my first study of Japanese architecture. It was then that I realized that what we call modern architecture is a set of architectural principles that were unconsciously practiced, kept alive, and observed in Japan, and that we were merely consciously trying to recover knowledge of those lost principles.

(A. Raymond, translated by Hiroshi MISAWA, "Principles of Japanese Architecture," in "Japanese Architecture and I," published by SD Selections, Kajima Publishing Co., Ltd.)

A. Raymond's Achievements

Field Survey of Tadami River Dam

One day after the war, one of his former close friends, Tashiro SHIRAISHI, wrote to him asking if he could come to Japan to inspect a dam, given Japan's need for hydroelectric power. In 1947, he directly contacted Marshal Douglas MacArthur, the General Supreme Commander, to express his desire to visit Japan. MacArthur replied that "Raymond's architectural achievements in Japan are highly regarded as historic," and he was finally granted permission to visit.
(Hiroshi MISAWA, "The Architecture of Antonin Raymond," published by Kajima Publishing Co., Ltd.)

SHIRAISHI and I met with Shigeru YOSHIDA several times in his private office to discuss the measures and significance of the master plan.
I arrived in Tokyo with Eric Flor at the end of October 1949. Our first order of business was to visit marshal MacArthur, brief him on the Okutadami, and ask his opinion on the state of Okutadami, the feasibility of building a dam there, and on the preparation of a scientific report based on Flor's investigations. (Omitted) The marshal wore an open-collar shirt and held an unlit, empty pipe in his right hand. He invited us to sit down and listened patiently to our opinions. At times he would disagree on the issues, but judging by them, it was clear that he was well versed in the engineering problems we faced. He approved of the task and instructed us to assist him.

(Hiroshi MISAWA, "The Architecture of Antonin Raymond," published by Kajima Publishing Co., Ltd.)

On-site survey of the Tadami River Dam

On a snowy day in November, Eric Flor, Raymond, Muneki SHIRAISHI, Yasuo KAWANO and others traveled from Niigata Prefecture to the current dam site on the Tadami River. (Omitted) Transportation was poor at the time and it was thought impossible to make the long journey over the mountain roads on foot, so a palanquin was made and Flor was carried in it.
(" PACIFIC CONSULTANTS 25-Year History" published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.)

We were carried to our destination by the mountain men. They made something like a shoulder basket using logs and chairs, placed a floor on top of it, and were carried by a dozen men. I was carried in an old palanquin carried by two men. (Omitted) They refused to accept any payment, saying that they would do so if transporting us would benefit Japan.

(Translated by Hiroshi MISAWA, Autobiography of Antonin Raymond, published by Kashima Publishing Co., Ltd.)

On-site survey of the Tadami River Dam

Established PACIFIC CONSULTANTS, INC.

While working on the Tadami River development project, a deep mutual understanding developed between Eric Flor and the members of the Tuesday Association. "Japanese engineers are excellent. Let's do consulting together. In the near future, there will undoubtedly be a situation in Japan and the Orient where consulting engineers are needed. I think it would be wonderful to be able to provide American-style consulting at that time," Flor appealed to Muneki SHIRAISHI and Fukujiro HIRAYAMA.
On the other hand, members of the Tuesday Association, especially Fukujiro HIRAYAMA, had long had a deep knowledge of consulting engineers and had been advocating that the introduction of a Western-style consulting engineer system was an urgent need for the development of Japanese technology and Japan itself, so this offer was a welcome opportunity for them.
In September 1951, U.S. Corporation PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED was established. This was the birth of the predecessor of today's PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD., Ltd. The headquarters of PACIFIC CONSULTANTS INCORPORATED was located at 129 South State Street, Downer, Kent County, Delaware, USA. Its capital stock was $3,000. It was an American-owned company with equal investments from Muneki SHIRAISHI, Eric Flor, and Antonin Raymond.

(" PACIFIC CONSULTANTS 25-Year History" published by PACIFIC CONSULTANTS CO., LTD.)

People who later became involved in the founding of the company (PHOTO taken during a power source development survey for the Tadami River)

A. Raymond's Profile

  1. Born in Kladno, Bohemia

  2. Graduated from Prague University of Technology

  3. Cass Gilbert, New York

  4. Studied under F.L. Wright and worked at Taliesin

  5. Came to Japan with Wright and worked on the construction of the Imperial Hotel

  6. Tokyo office closed

  7. Inspection survey of the Okutadami River

  8. Established Raymond Architectural Office Inc. in Azabu

  9. Received the Architectural Institute of Japan's Award at Reader's Digest, Tokyo Branch

  10. Received the Third Rank of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon

  11. Died in New Hope, state of Pennsylvania

*Created from "The Architecture of Antonin Raymond" by Hiroshi MISAWA, published by Kashima Publishing Co., Ltd.

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