2023 Art Journey with Yoshihiro Takishita: Kamakura
VIEW EVENT DETAILSJapanese Country Style—Putting New Life into Kominka Houses
This November, join us on an artistic journey back in time to explore centuries-old kominka houses in Kamakura. Perched atop a hill, overlooking the picturesque Sagami Bay and discreetly tucked away from prying eyes, these kominka houses, once abandoned relics, were rescued by Yoshihiro Takishita, Founding President for the NPO Preservation of Traditional Japanese Farmhouses, and his adopted father, the Associated Press correspondent John Roderick in the 1960s from its original home in Gifu. These ancient farmhouses, preserved without nails and relocated offer a rare glimpse into Japan's heritage.
Hosted by the NPO Association for the Preservation of Traditional Japanese Farmhouses, our tour includes three structures, including one from Takishita's hometown in Gifu, Shiguchi-do and Bikkuri House. Inside, discover the "Toge no Kakaku (Travelers on the Mountain Pass)", an antique art exhibition, showcasing the Kamakura period. These renovated houses blend tradition with modernity, has been attracting visitors worldwide, including royal families and diplomats. Come witness the works of nameless craftsmen and Takishita-san's heritage preservation efforts.
Event Details
9:00 am: Meet at Kamakura Station
9:05 am: Take a taxi from the station to Takishita-san
9:30 am: Tour and seminar
12:00 pm: The tour will conclude at the site and disband
Participation Fee:
Members: JPY5,500
Guests: JPY6,000
*A portion of the participation fee will be contributed to the NPO Preservation of Traditional Japanese Farmhouses.
About the Host
Yoshihiro Takishita
Founding President, Association for the Preservation of Traditional Japanese Farmhouse
Trained as an architect, author, lecturer and preservationist, Yoshihiro Takishita has preserved more than 35 centuries-old rural Japanese farmhouses (minka), reconstructing them in a new location (four outside Japan) as modern homes. His journey started in 1965, when he was a university student. He learned about a 250-year-old minka near his hometown that was to be submerged with the construction of a local reservoir. His father bought it for 5,000 Yen and the family joined together to relocate the house to Kamakura, where it still stands today. This experience was the starting point to giving old minka new life.
His work has been celebrated in Japan and abroad and has been featured in many publications, including Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times.
As a first-class registered architect, he is also the curator of the Shiguchi-do( Joinery Hall).
- 1971 Establish and manage The Kamakura
- 1976 President of the House of Antiques, co. Ltd
- 2006 President of the Association for the Preservation of Old Japanese Farmhouses
- 2010 Establish Shiguchi-do
- 2013 Awarded the Cultural Distinction Award by the Japan Society of Boston.
- 2014 President, Kamakura Bunka no Mori.
- 2017 Awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by Colby College
Publication
- Japanese Country Style, putting new life into Old Houses Kodansha International, 2002
- The Art of Shiguchi, Tree Spirit of Mt. Hakusan, 2017
- Shiguchi The Hidden Art of Japanese Joinery at the Gamble House, 2019