2018／Wakayama city／Wakayama／JAPAN
This traditional Japanese style painting is called “Yozakura Gekka” (by Hiroshi Senju), featuring an exquisite weeping cherry tree in blossom lit by the moon light.
It was for this painting that the owner wished to have a private space to admire – where he could spend his time quietly and feel the beauty of falling petals. He wanted to create simple but elegant atmosphere like luxurious hotel for his living room/study and bedroom.
The building was a one-story wooden structure of 66 square meters that was build more than 40 years ago. Upon this renovation, the original main structure was kept unchanged but the west side of the house was made into a large spacious single room containing the living room/ study and the bedroom area. Storage unit between those two areas separates the room but does not close off the space, leaving openness. Kitchen and a bathroom are placed in the east side.
To incorporate the owner’s love for the painting and cherry blossoms, the concept for this project was proposed that the painting was to become the center of the house, rather than creating a space to exhibit it. Thus the name Oukikho (桜熙居) was given – a house (居) where cherry blossoms (桜) filled the space (熙).
Photography by Sohei Terui