“MACHIYA” or an old shopkeeper’s style house in the Edo Period
When, Architect Mr. Ebisawa was about to work for Tenzan expansion design, he came across a newspaper article. It said one old merchant’s style house in Kand-sudacho, Tokyo was put on the market. The origin of the 100 ㎡ two story structure was used as a grocery store. The owner was the 17th generation of the retainer under Hojo Ujinao. Ujinao was the 5th generation of the historically well known Hojo clan. The clan had hold Odawara Castle long years but was defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590. It is said that the retainer secretly brought Ujinao’s baby princess out of the castle and protected her in Edo (now Tokyo). He was afraid of the discovery of her real status and therefore had disguised as a merchant and kept her safely.
The image of Hojo Ujinao
Unyu Tenzan is located in close neighbor of Hojo’s family temple, Sounji. Mr. Ebisawa felt something close relation with this old house and strongly recommended Tenzan management purchasing this “MACHIYA” It had been carefully removed and preserved, even including a new dirt floor area. The Edo Period style house was relocated on the Tenzan site finally.
Relocated "MACHIYA" from Tokyo
Architect Mr. Ebisawa not only reused of this old merchant’s style house as a dressing room and salon for ladies, but also used as his design vocabulary. This old house influenced the overall look of the entire place. Simple traditional white walls framed in black or darkly lacquered beams and roof tops became the theme. Therefore it is considered to be a symbol of Unyu Tenzan.
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