SPACE
The winter-blooming camellias were accompanied by the earlier summer-blooming Dodan-tsutsuji, together harmonizing with the earth as the seasons came and went. The calmness and warmth of the courtyard were the embodiment of seasons of Kyoto within the Wuz Marutamachi.
space
Upon entering Wuz Marutamachi, the natural light pouring through the skylight on the bamboo curtains at the entrance, casting a gentle glow onto the hallway behind. This was a deliberate effort by the architect to preserve the impression of the old house before the renovation.
Open the glass wooden door, a pottery lamp hung over the old dining table, serving as a welcoming beacon for visitors to back home.
Lighting through the branches, painting freely with the wind on the shoji screens. This natural light and shadow further enriches the tranquil ambiance of space.
Another indoor scenery within the tatami room is revealed from the nine snow-viewing shoji screens to catch a glimpse of the architectural models and art , to enrich the house’s screen dreams.
Snow in the sunshine flutters down unseen,
But flakes of shadow fleck my paper screen’
from Harold Stewart , Kyoto Jan ’78
The light and shadow creates a poetic touch.
Climbing the wooden staircase to the second floor, the overhead skylight illuminates the original wooden framework, preserving the charm of days gone by.
The Western-style room softens the backyard light with its paper windows, becoming a faintly visible scenery of the bedroom.
On the other side, the Japanese-style room conforms to the original low ceiling structure, was designed to sink the floor to creat an intimate sense of scale, as if enveloped by the roof structure.
The best moment after a day’s journey, is soaking in the hot water of the hinoki bathtub, feeling a gentle sleepiness rising in the faint aroma of wood.
There is always warmly welcome home, which the Wuz Marutamachi hopes to provide for every visitor.
ACCESS
A 15-minute drive from Kyoto Station, located at the intersection of Karasuma and Marutamachi, and 5 minutes walk to Kyoto Imperial Palace.
It’s good to have a morning jogging or enjoy a quiet and fresh time in this Imperial Palace woods.