SHINGU, Wakayama --The former residence of an American missionary designed by Isaku Nishimura (1884-1963), an architect from Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, opened this spring as a tourism and exchange center after undergoing a 10-month-long renovation to make it more quake resistant.
The residence is a Western-style building constructed during the Taisho era (1912-1926) and located in the city.
Nishimura placed importance on spending time with family and is known for his residential designs that center around the living room. He also promoted liberal education and established the Bunka Gakuin school in the Surugadai district of Tokyo in 1921, with poet Akiko Yosano among others teaching at the school.
The building was the home of American missionary E.N. Chapman, who was close to Nishimura. The wooden three-story structure has a floor space of 274 square meters and was completed in 1926. After the end of World War II, it was used as a ryokan inn but closed about 40 years ago. The residence subsequently came under private ownership before being acquired by the city in 2015.
Aiming to showcase the atmosphere during the Taisho era when the building was constructed, the city reused pillars, walls, floors and other structures as part of its renovation. Parts that were added after its construction were also removed so that it would resemble its original state. A fireplace and built-in cupboard were retained.
The facility opened on April 19 and was favorably received by visitors for its heart-warming wooden design. According to the city's commerce, industry and tourism department, visitors to the three shrines in the Kumano district have submitted inquiries as they also wanted to see the building.
"We hope visitors will enjoy this design, which was rare in the Taisho era, and is comparable to contemporary designs," an official of the department in charge said.
The facility has an exchange area and tourist information center on the first floor, as well as an exhibition space on the second floor. A model one hundredth the size of the building created by the company in charge of the renovated design is also exhibited.
The facility opens from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Mondays (If a national holiday falls on Monday, it is closed the following day instead). Admission is free. Fees are charged to use the facility for conferences and other purposes. For more information, call the former Chapman residence at (0735) 23-2311.
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