Garyu-in, Ozu City

Garyu-in 
Isshi-no-ma
The elegant study strongly reflects the stylistic elements of Katsura Imperial Villa in the circular window, outside veranda, shoji doors and ceiling boards. The tatami mats can be removed to reveal Noh (Japanese opera) stage and the transom carvings are an elegant openwork of wild chrysanthemum and phoenix. As one sits by the veranda, the view of the garden that gives the sense of a breeze from the river, is too beautiful for words.

Garyu-in, Ozu City

Garyu-in 
Phoenix motif openwork

The numerous openwork carvings were made by master woodworker Isai Komazawa using paulowania, and the phoenix motif openwork was carved out of solid Yakusugi cedar. They artfully express the changes in the seasons.

Garyu-in, Ozu City

Garyu-in 
Seisui-no-ma

The high ceiling and openwork transoms give the impression of coolness in the summer. A Biwa-style alcove is housed to the right side of the study window with a Shinto altar made of Japanese yew above and the openwork transom of Hanaikada (helwingia) represents spring. Suimon-no-bi to the right represents summer, Kikusi to the left represents autumn and Yukiwmado on the opposite side represents winter.

Garyu-in, Ozu City

Garyu-in 
Kagetsu-no-ma

Three-tiered staggered shelves that represent the mist next to a circular window that lets in the light from the Butsama (room for an altar) in the back to resemble the moon. It is a tranquil space that exhibits the master carpenter’s attention to detail throughout from the sliding doors in grey Japanese paper to the metal door handle shaped like a bat and the veranda of solid Sendai pine.