Distinctive features found today in Japanese buildings are described in terms of
changes wrought by the introduction of Buddhist Culture from Korea and China,
the consolidation of indigenous design traditions, the development of feudalism
and samurai culture, many influences from the West and the adoption of
international building styles in contemporary times. Through all of these
changes, a restrained aesthetic developed in marked contrast to an earlier exuberant
tradtion characterized by monumentality and the use of bold colors.