We were lucky. The weather forecast called for rain and thunderstorms, but the sun wasn’t having it and the weather couldn’t have been more pleasant for our drive to Ohshima. Ohshima is a small island off of the main island of Japan. It’s accessible by bridge and the word is that the Japanese people in Hawaii come from Ohshima. I believe it, there are palm trees and it’s warm, it feels like Hawaii, not exactly like the mountainside village that I have become accustomed to. I just love a good drive, don’t you? Especially when there’s a beautiful house at the end of it.
The house was built during the Taisho period which lasted from July of 1912 and ending in December of 1926 wasn’t particularly long, however, the houses of this period have become quite rare, and they are admired for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Taisho period built upon the successes of the Meiji era rushing Japan into the Modern age. With the Taisho era came the universal vote, and Japan’s influence in China and the Pacific grew. Western influence from the previous era had reached its zenith and many buildings from this era would not look out of place in New York or London. Others would infuse the East and the West to create a truly unique, beautiful home. The focus for today is of such a home.
Arriving in Ohshima around noon, we headed to the port to have an ice coffee while we waited for our friend. I barely took two sips before he came waving as he rode his newly restored vintage scooter. It took two minutes from the port to the house. Parking along a small road, we walked along a tree-lined footpath flanked by two houses until we came upon a large opening with a walled house surrounded by a garden at the foot of a mountain.
After catching up over a cup of tea, we sat down to have EEL for lunch. ウナギ弁当よ。凄いですね。 Eel is called Unagi “Oo-nah-ghee” in Japanese. Eel has been eaten in the summer since the Edo period. It is believed that eating eel gives us vitality and energy during the oppressive summer heat. The nice thing about traditional houses is that they are generally cool, and the wind passes through them; which means freezing in the winter!
This place is called a “Toh-koh-noh-mah” and it is a place in the reception room of a houses reserved for artistic expression. The decoration is often changed seasonally, and the large wall painting is called a “ka-keh-gee-ku”. 掛け軸
The Engawa is a very useful place. An Engawa connects the outside of the house to the inside. It is usual to leave the engawa or veranda open, to let in the cool air and for ease of access into the interior of the house. Usually there is a gate or 門 “mon” which prevents direct access from outside.
Outside of the veranda with its walled garden. Ah! The eel was delicious, the weather was great and the house was a treat. Not to mention the conversation which our wonderful host has in spades. It was truly a wonderful day. Thanks for reading. Till next time.