Tag: hiroshima

Hello, Original Features

Hello, high ceiling! Lighting has also transformed this area.

Like many traditional Japanese houses, this house went through some ugly cosmetic changes in the 70s.  Walls and ceilings covered by cheap veneer panels.  When an electrician came to check on outdated illigal wiring work and opened a small part of ceiling above the entrance, we could see the beautiful high ceiling with gorgeous old beams, all covered by ugly veneer.

My father, traumatised by his childhood memories of hearing snakes slithering above his head, quickly tried to dismiss our idea of opening up the ceiling.  Besides, he said, it would be freezing in winter.

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Ceiling covered with ugly veneer panels.

It is quite handy that my Australian husband and my Japanese father do not understand each other perfectly.  My husband gently assured my father it would look 100 times better and started tearing the veneer off.  He was covered with a century of dust and it took forever to clean the area (sadly my job) but the result was well worth the effort.

My Avocation

imageIt’s been 6 years since my husband and I decided to restore our old family house in Hiroshima.  It was our grandparents house, 250 years old at least.  No one lived in it for nearly 30 years since my grandfather past away and it was just a matter of time before this poor old girl collapsed.  We knew it was going to take loads of money and time to fix it.  And there were loads of problems.  To pick a few:

  1. It is not mine.  My brother, being the oldest male sibling, is expected to inherit.
  2. Expect for me, no one in the family sees the value in fixing it.
  3. Some of the damages of the house are just too far gone.
  4. We live in Australia!

It wasn’t just my family.  Even our neighbours in Hiroshima thought we were crazy.  Some suggested we bulldose it and make a car park.  What a horrifying idea…

I have lived away from Japan for decades to realise one of the great things about this country is its unique culture and history.  This house has plenty of that and that alone is worth saving.  I also have precious childhood memories of this house.  I was raised and grew up in Tokyo but spent many summer holidays here in Hiroshima.  This small town was known to have lots of “Kura“, traditional warehouse/storage.  Sadly, they are disappearing.  Why? Luck of appreciation, tradesmen are hard to find, cost too much to maintain.

My big thanks to my beloved husband who made me see the value of this historical architecture and the importance of passing it onto future generations, not to mention actually doing all the “dirty” work.

I am determined to restore this house, no matter what anyone says.   This is probably my life time project.  One day maybe we can turn it into accommodation or cafe or event space.  Who knows.  So watch this space.