 |
| Interior of the Japanese Heritage Shōya House, about 1700 and reconstructed 2023. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens |
The Huntington's 320-year-old Shōya House, moved from Marugame, Japan, and reconstructed in San Marino, opens this weekend. Here are some press photos.
 |
| Gatehouse. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens |
A 1970s typhoon destroyed most of the original gatehouse, used to shelter horses as well as a gatekeeper. The gatehouse at the Huntington is a reconstruction, adapted for restrooms and office space.
 |
| Exterior view. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens |
The main house was home to the shōya, a tax collector/census taker/judge, as well as a village square of sorts. The 3000-sf. home's courtyard was used for weddings and seasonal celebrations.
 |
| Interior view. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com |
 |
| Exterior view. Photo: Joshua White / JWPictures.com |
Cycads were a symbol of luxury. The home is set among landscape elements resembling the original site, including an orchard of citrus, persimmon, and mulberry trees. Even the rocks were moved from Japan and placed in corresponding positions relative to the house.
The Japanese Heritage Shōya House opens Sat., Oct. 21, 2023, in the north end of the Huntington's Japanese Garden. It will be open daily, noon to 4 PM.
Comments
I've been wondering what has been going on with that bit of architecture from the Middle East. I assume it will be situated in the Resnick gallery. Meaning it will be a temporary exhibit as compared with the permanent period rooms in certain other museums. Or even as an outright free-standing building, such as the Shoya house at the Huntington. That's why the reduced square footage of the Zumthor/Govan overpass (but attached to a huge budget) isn't exactly the most well-thoughtout option for LACMA. But time will tell.
Although it's exasperating by some of what's going on, in late 2023, it is what it is. What's that saying about closing the barn door after the horse has bolted? But Michael Govan, whenever he does retire, had better not leave a mess at LACMA. However, I do admit to being anxious to see Zumthor's building completed and opened. That and also the Lucas Museum, which will similarly float on two anchor points.