TOKYO -- In a quiet residential area in the capital's Nakano Ward is an atelier doubling as a house that is a registered national tangible cultural property.
The former entrance to the Migishi Atelier is seen in Tokyo's Nakano Ward on Nov. 4, 2021. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.
The structure is characterized by its large, box-like design. It was built in 1934 for Western-style painter Kotaro Migishi (1903-1934) and his wife Setsuko Migishi (1905-1999). Kotaro passed away at just 31, while Setsuko, who is known as a pioneering female Western-style painter in Japan, lived to be 94.
The wooden two-story Migishi Atelier was designed by architect Iwao Yamawaki (1898-1987), who studied at "Bauhaus," the German art school that influenced the architecture industry worldwide. The southeast side of the building is all glass windows taking in plenty of sunlight. Its main room is double-height, and the beautifully curved spiral staircase leads to a Japanese-style room on the second floor.
The Migishi Atelier is a precious example of a wooden structure in the modernist architecture style, which eschews decor and uses concrete and steel, among other materials. Kotaro unfortunately succumbed to illness before he could see the completed atelier.
Registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2014, the building has also operated as a rental studio. The profits are used to maintain and repair the facility. Those who want to see inside can apply via its official website: http://www.leia.biz/contact-us/ (in Japanese).
(Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Center)
The first floor Western-style room adjacent to the Migishi Atelier's main room is seen in Tokyo's Nakano Ward on Nov. 4, 2021. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.
* * *
The Japanese version of this article was originally published on Dec. 5, 2021.
* * *
This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0