Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (ASIAN ARCHITECTS / DESIGNERS / ARTISTS OF PHILLY)

This story is part of a series featuring Asian Architects / Designers / Artists of Philly. We will be highlighting incredible murals that are a part of Mural Arts Philadelphia, urban street art that is part of Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection or other collections, urban spaces that embody Asian culture, and buildings designed by some of the most renowned architects from around the world. We will be featuring short blog posts written by members of Urban Design Committee, as well as guest posts by Committee on the Environment, Environmental Justice subcommittee. Stay tuned for more!

Shofuso is a traditional Shoin-zukuri Japanese teahouse with a Japanese garden. Shoin-zukuri is an architectural style that was used for mansions for the military, living quarters for Zen abbots, and temple guest halls during the Azucho-Momoyama period through the Edo period. Shofuso is a unique example of Shoin-zukuri and may be the only example of this architectural style outside of Japan. It was built in 1953 as a good will gesture to the US through The America-Japan Society. Prior to World War II, the east coast had little knowledge of Asian culture. For many, Shofuso was the first time they had seen a traditional Japanese house, and through it, they had the opportunity to relate it to their own lives. The house was an effective ambassador to the US.

Modern Western architects, like Frank Lloyd Write and Greene and Greene, have borrowed many ideas from traditional Japanese architecture. Prior to the dawning of Modern architecture, Japan was already making buildings with non-load bearing walls, a strong connection between the interior and exterior, flexible plans, and ornamental quality which is achieved by the structural system of the Shoin style. Marjorie K. Sieger of the Philadelphia Museum of Art noted, "[Shofuso] is probably the only building of an ancient style in America that is uniquely relevant to contemporary Western architecture."

Blog post written by Leslie A. Louie

Photo by Visit Philadelphia 

Sources:

https://japanphilly.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Historical-Narrative.pdf

https://www.kcpinternational.com/2014/12/traditional-japanese-architecture-sukiya-zukuri-and-shoin-zukuri/

https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/shofuso-japanese-cultural-center/