Replies

1. 
   calvin | Mar 30, 2011 06:18pm | #1

   Bob

   There's a fellow here who posts from Japan.

   I would think he would be a good contact for your information.

   Eventho we have heard from him since the earthquake, he might be caught up and too busy to respond.  I'll send him a notice via the private message function here and hope he sees the link to this thread.

   Be patient, but make sure you have the EMAIL NOTIFICATION box checked in your profile so you get notice of his reply.

   thanks and best of luck.

1. 
   rhodge1947 | Apr 02, 2011 09:12pm | #2

   Tea House

   Thanks for the information and your help.

   May God be with the fellow and all the poor souls in Japan.

1. 
   calvin | Apr 02, 2011 10:14pm | #4

   Don't forget.

   Come back here after the class gets it's project done-or keep us informed during it.  It'd be nice to see what happens.

   thanks.

2. 
   rhodge1947 | Apr 02, 2011 09:13pm | #3

   Tea House

   Thanks for the information and the web sites.

3. 
   DanH | Apr 02, 2011 10:27pm | #5

   My post a couple of days back apparently got got by the captcha monster.

   There is a teahouse at the Como Park Conservatory in St Paul.  It is an authentic teahouse, donated to St Paul by their sister city in Japan.   Pictures of the teahouse are quite rare, but I did find this, which is about as much as you can find: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/objects_in_mirror/archive/2008/06/video_tour_of_t.shtml

   Access to the teahouse is limited (it's off the main path at the Japanese Garden) and by invitation only (you attend a tea ceremony), but my wife and I lucked out a couple of years back and got a brief informal tour from a docent.  Though there is a large door on the side you approach first, that is essentially the "back" door, used for cleaning, etc.  The main entrance is on the other side and is a low door that forces you to stoop/crawl to enter.  I just got a bare peek inside through a window, but IIRC it was one large room with one or two smaller rooms off to one side.

4. 
   JohnWalker | Apr 06, 2011 12:16am | #6

   Get this book!

   Bob

   While in Japan I went through the entire English language section on architecture in Kinokuniya (a very large and famous book store in Tokyo).

   I came away with one book that was exactly what I was looking for:

   "Measure and Construction of the Japanese House"

   by Heino Engel

   Copyright 1985 Charles E. Tuttle Co. Inc.

   ISBN 978-0-8048-1492-8

   (It is a reprint of two of the original 15 chapters from the 1964 book "The Japanese House: A Tradition for Contemporary Architecture".)

   I see it's available on amazon for $15. That's a steal (I paid like $30 in Yen).

   It is an amazing book covering systems of measurement, history, philosophy, joinery etc. **There are a few pages on tearooms including plans, elevations, sections etc.

   I strongly recommend this book.

   **Please post your project photos etc.

   John

5. 
   kyotowest | May 08, 2011 07:52pm | #7

   Tea House Plans

   I understand your problems.  In addition to the recommendation of Engel's book (probably the best), I would also recommend "What is Japanese Arcitecture?" by Kazuo Nishi and Kazuo Hozumi.  It is in English and has several chapters on tea houses, along with wonderful line drawings and a 3 dimensional fold out of a tea house the way traditional plans were done.  Also 2 books with great photos are "The Japanese Tea Garden" by Marc Peter Keane, still available, and "The Tea Garden" by Haruzo Ohashi, in Japanese and English, out of print.  Fuji Group America was importing a 3 mat tea house 15+ years ago with a great brouchure filled with photos, but they are no longer in business.  Tea house joinery is simpler than some Japanese construction, but another good book might be "The Art of Japanes Joinery" by Kiyosi Seike, in English.

   Since this will be a school project, I asssume funds will be limited.  You will probably have to make compromises.  Japanese roof shingles are different from the cedar shingles found in the US.  Japanese roof tiles are available, but pricey.  Tatami are not cheap, either.  Likewise authentic shoji paper, which is usually not used in shoji built here.  Building walls out of mud and straw over bamboo lath is a really specialized skill, probably beyond most high schoolers.  Only you can decide what compromises to make.

   I have finished plans for a 3 mat tea house with tokonoma and a very small mizuya that I would be glad to share with you.  I don't plan on actually constructing it until next year, so I only have plans and elevations, no photos.  Although I have made compromises in authenticity of construction, I hope that it will look totally authentic.

   Steve

1. 
   rhodge1947 | May 09, 2011 12:39am | #8

   Tea House plans

   Thank you  for the information.

   Yes I would like to have a copy of your plans and elevations.

   Can you send them to:

   Robert Hodge

   ARL

   10920 Rt. 108

   Ellicott City, MD 21042

1. 
   [email protected] | May 09, 2011 02:25pm | #9

   Embassy?

   Since your in Maryland, and thus relatively close to DC, I might try the Japanese Embassy.  The cultural officer, might have some recommendations, and they may have a tea house on the embassy compound you could look at, or know of others localy. 

   On the west coast, a lot of American cities have Japanese sister cities, and have a tea garden in a park somewhere in town. 

1. 
   rhodge1947 | May 09, 2011 03:51pm | #10

   Japanese Embassy

   Thank you,

   I am going there and to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, they have one also.

   But any additional information, plans, drawings, photos will be a great help.

   Bob

2. 
   ironmoon | Aug 03, 2011 02:08pm | #11

   me too?!

   I've read several of the books mentioned in this string, and want to have a go at it myself.  I've never built something like this, but my 85 year old dad is a wizard and will help.  Your 3 tatami design with mizuya sounds great....would you be willing to share the plans with me as well?

   Thanks,

   Scott

1. 
   kyotowest | Aug 03, 2011 05:51pm | #12

   Re: me too?!

   Hi Scott,

   Sure, just e-mail your address info to [email protected] and I can send you plans and addtitional info.  You have to promise to keep me updated on your project, though.

   -Steve