Mud Walls and Wooden Shingles —Myōkian Taian—
Photographic Record of the Restoration Work on the Shoin and “Taian” Tea Room at Myōkian
By Takenaka Carpentary Tools Museum + Vutter Kohen
+ Special Interview : “Passing on Japan’ s Masterful Sukiya Techniques to Future Generations” Nakamura Masao (Architect, Architectural Historian) & Saito Mitsugi (Sukiya Master Carpenter)
Book Info: B5 variant (T:243× Y: 182 mm), codex binding , Soft Cover: foil-stamped 72P
Dating from the late 16th century, Taian is Japan’s oldest surviving tea room and the sole remaining structure believed to have been planned by Sen no Rikyū. The tea room is central to the history of the tea ceremony, embodying its spiritual and aesthetic aspirations. Its significance is exceedingly high, as it is considered the model for small tea rooms and the standard for Sukiya (teahouse) architecture.
ʻTai-an’ is one of only four tea houses currently designated as National Treasures. Following cracks that appeared in part of its earthen walls as a result of the Northern Osaka Earthquake in June 2018, restoration work was carried out on the mud walls and the wooden Shingles roofs for the first time in 23years.
The original book “Mud wall and Kokera” featuring photographs by Naoko Tamura (on-site processes) and Taizo Furukawa (completion photographs) alongside accompanying text, was published in November 2019. It soon sold out, and some time has now passed. The latest edition “Mud Walls and Wooden Shingles” is based on the 2019 version, a new Japanese-English edition, featuring additional photographs and an English translation by Gretchen Mittwer for all the text, published in August 2026 .
Discover the architectural soul of Japan’s tea culture through this exquisitely designed photographic monograph. “Mud Walls and Wooden Shingles” offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look into the extensive restoration and preservation of Taian, the oldest surviving teahouse built by the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu and a designated National Treasure.
Spanning 72 beautifully curated pages, this bilingual (English/Japanese) volume features striking, high-fidelity visuals composed of evocative imagery by photographer and artist Naoko Tamura, who captured the raw, tactile textures of the rustic mud walls and intricate shingle roofing during the process, paired with serene photographs by Taizo Furukawa showcasing the teahouse post-restoration. These visuals are accompanied by deeply insightful essays contributed by leading architectural conservation experts and Sukiya-style researchers. It is an indispensable resource and a visual masterpiece for architects, designers, Japanophiles, and collectors of rare architectural histories.
Click here to purchase (Please contact us regarding international shipping)
Contact : info@vutterkohen.com
