Pat's Blog

Just a month or so ago I visited Bushozan with my fellow blogger Cathy Hirano to report on the Daimyo’s parade. We both learned a lot and while I was there I couldn’t help but notice some of the interesting architecture and renovations to old buildings.




Now I’m not really a big fan of Japanese architecture and that’s because although it’s very beautiful, it’s just not very practical at all. In Japan we warm ourselves with a kotasu table with quilt in the freezing air around the house in winter at least. Shuffling around blowing our noses, rubbing our hands and feel miserable. There has to be a better way other than consuming oil to heat us and there is and it’s called sensible insulation.




This is so poorly utilized in Japan as the houses are designed for air to move around which works just fine in the between seasons; spring and fall. But make no mistake, in summer and winter these houses swelter and freeze. The single-pane windows rattle with the wind and the mud plastered walls on bamboo frames whilst beautiful, are no match for modern insulation techniques. I’m convinced there is some sort of collusion between the Japanese electronics industry, architects and house builders to keep wasteful air-conditioners and heaters sales up…




So what’s a solution? The best of both worlds I think and I saw quite a few examples in Bushozan on my second visit.






There are some wonderful examples of old houses here and some look just great as they are, albeit hard to live in. Others are prime candidates for renovations. What really impressed me was the use of traditional building materials such as roof tiles for other purposes, such as paving. Out of context but so innovative and beautiful. Lots of wabi-sabi here …





The combination of concrete, glass, stainless steel and traditional Japanese design can be pretty spectacular and there are a number of examples in Bushozan to be seen.






As I’d promised, I will get back to take a closer look at the stone carving area of AJi in a few week. Until then, don’t go away and keep all those cards n’ letters coming in. Stay warm.