Jan Josef Švagr (7 September 1885, Týnčany – 26 March 1969, Claypole) was a Czech architect renowned for his work in Japan. Baptized as Jan Nepomuk in nearby Petrovice, he moved to Japan in 1923, where he became known for designing numerous buildings, particularly earthquake-resistant structures that remain significant to this day. Thanks to his connections within the local diocese, Švagr primarily designed and built Christian churches, including the neo-Gothic Church of the Sacred Heart of the Lord in Yokohama, where architect David Vávra later discovered stained glass featuring his patron saint and an image of Hradčany. Despite his focus on Christian architecture, he also designed a Muslim mosque in Kobe. In April 1941, as war tensions escalated, Švagr left Japan for Latin America, where he continued to contribute to architectural projects. However, his legacy remains most strongly tied to Japan, where over twenty of his structures have been documented.
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