The beauty and restoration of thatched roofs
The beauty and restoration of thatched roofs
- Architecture of wind and light that lives in Shirakawa-go and Miyama -
Every time the wind blows, the roof creaks.
It is the whisper of the grass that can only be heard by those who listen carefully, transcending time.
Thatched roofs are not just architectural features.
It is a poem that weaves together the memories of the land and encapsulates the prayers of daily life.
Thatched roofs: a form of local culture
A thatched roof is a roof made from bundles of grass such as Japanese silver grass, reeds, and Imperata cylindrica.
This type of roof was once a common sight in many parts of the Japanese archipelago.
It can withstand wind and snow, keep out rain, and stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
It is a tangible manifestation of the wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
Thatch will grow back even if it is cut down.
The material is designed to be recyclable, and the roofs need to be re-roofed every dozen years or so.
Each time, the villagers gather together and work together to thatch the roof.
It wasn't just a repair project, but a kind of festival celebrating the "cycle of life."
Shirakawa-go - Prayers in Gassho-style Houses
Shirakawa-go, Gifu Prefecture.
This village, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site, is lined with unique thatched roofs known as "gassho-zukuri."
The steeply sloping roof is a clever idea unique to areas with heavy snowfall.
They are arranged at an angle like hands clasped together to allow snow to slide off and support the weight of the roof.
Its appearance is truly a form of prayer.
The attic was once used as a silkworm farm.
They raise silkworms, weave silk, and support their livelihood.
The roof was not just a covering, but was also a means of livelihood.
The thatched roofs of Shirakawa-go are preserved throughout the region.
The system of mutual aid known as "yui" is still alive and well today, with villagers gathering together every time the roof is replaced.
This is because protecting the roof also means protecting the bonds of the village.
Miyama - The shape of the wind dwelling in silence
Meanwhile, in Miyama Town, Kyoto.
This place, quietly nestled in the mountains of Nantan City, is also home to a beautiful thatched roof village.
If the Gassho-style houses of Shirakawa-go are a powerful example of "structural beauty,"
Miyama's thatched roofs are a soft "beauty of the landscape."
The roof has a gentle slope, allowing the building to blend in with the surrounding mountains and fields.
Cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, autumn leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.
The changing seasons of nature add color to the thatched roof.
The sight is like a Japanese painting.
In Miyama, the local community is responsible for everything from growing thatch to re-thatching roofs.
The whole community is working to preserve and restore the area through organizations such as the Miyama Thatched Roof Museum and the Kayabuki Village Preservation Society.
Regenerating roofs, regenerating culture
Thatched roofs are designed to rot.
That is why the technology and spirit of restoration have been nurtured.
While modern architecture pursues "durability," thatched roofs value "recyclability."
This idea of "decay and rebirth" may be the very essence of Japanese aesthetics.
He finds beauty in the way cherry blossoms fall and adores them by applying gold to the cracks in his vessels.
Embracing imperfection and transience.
Thatched roofs are a symbol of this aesthetic.
Hands that weave thatch, hands that weave the future
In recent years, preserving thatched roofs has become extremely difficult.
Issues include securing thatch, the aging of craftsmen, and maintenance costs.
However, new movements are emerging in various places.
Young craftsmen are learning the techniques of thatching, and attempts are being made to build with thatch even in urban areas.
Additionally, photographers and architects who are fascinated by the beauty of thatched roofs are spreading their value to the world.
Weaving thatch is weaving the future.
It is a choice to live in harmony with the local climate, and an act of reexamining what a beautiful life is.
Conclusion - WABISUKE's Perspective
WABISUKE does not simply look back on the past with nostalgia,
To connect the "beauty of regeneration" that resides there to the future.
Thatched roofs are living structures woven together by wind, light, and human hands.
Beneath this roof lies the "poetry of life" that has been nurtured over time.
What we need to have now is
Perhaps it is the ability to interpret the poem and the determination to pass it on to the next generation.