Press ReleaseAug. 2024

Explorations of HORIGUCHI Sutemi：Modernism, Rikyu, Garden, Waka
We are pleased to announce our next Exhibition “Explorations of HORIGUCHI Sutemi：Modernism, Rikyu, Garden and Waka”.
Please find more detail https://nama.bunka.go.jp[Title]Explorations of HORIGUCHI Sutemi：Modernism, Rikyu, Garden, Waka
[Overview]
Materials on Architect HORIGUCHI Sutemi are in the Agency for Cultural
Affairs’ National Archives of Modern Architecture!
Since its opening in 2012, the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ National Archives of ModernArchitecture has collected an enormous quantity of materials on the architecture of thedistinguished architects who built Japan’s modern era, and has made them available to thepublic through exhibitions and digital archives. Last year marked the National Archives ofModern Architecture’s tenth anniversary, and there are now more than 200,000 items in thecollection. Many of the works of architecture with which distinguished architects have beeninvolved, such as airports and government offices, have become part of the social
infrastructure of Japan. The information contained in the relevant materials are the design
drawings of our social infrastructure, or, so to speak, the “security” of our society. As areference archive, we are firmly aware of the importance of our mission, and are further
strengthening our efforts to collect and preserve such information.

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Japanese architecture has long been highly regarded worldwide for its historical beauty as
well as its durability in terms of safety and security. The Agency for Cultural Affairsconsiders these to be important cultural elements (architectural culture) that should bepassed on to future generations. The National Archives of Modern Architecture intends tostrengthen its efforts to disseminate architectural culture to the wider world. In addition toarchiving, exhibiting, and disseminating, the National Archives of Modern Architecture aims
to become a venue for various initiatives by strengthening cooperation with a wide range oforganizations related to architectural culture.
This year, the museum added to its collection new materials on the architect HORIGUCHI
Sutemi. In commemoration, we are holding the exhibition, “Explorations of HORIGUCHI
Sutemi: Modernism, Rikyu, Garden, Waka.”
Well then, what kind of architect was HORIGUCHI Sutemi?
A Pioneer of the Modern Architecture Movement
HORIGUCHI is well-known as the architect who, upon his graduation from university,
initiated Japan’s first authentic modern architecture movement, the Bunriha Kenchiku Kai.
The name Bunriha (Secessionists) seems mysterious, but it was a declaration of their goalof a new type of architecture distinct (secede) from conventional architecture, that is, theWestern classical architecture that had been built since the Meiji period under the guise of“modernization.” HORIGUCHI was the very first to adopt the modern architectural trends
that were emerging in Europe at that time. This was around the same period that LeCorbusier, widely known as the master of modern architecture, began his activities inearnest, and HORIGUCHI’s presence in Japan is a valuable reminder of the simultaneous
emergence of modern architecture worldwide.
The Commonalities of Japan and the West
Feeling that the free use of straight lines in modern architecture had something in common
with Japanese sukiya-style architecture, HORIGUCHI gradually began to devote himself toJapanese culture. HORIGUCHI’s research on tearooms is another of his magnificentaccomplishments, but this was also due to his perceptions as a modern architect. As hecontinued his search for commonalities between Western culture and Japanese culture,
HORIGUCHI’s activities were truly international! He was an outstanding 20th century figure
who pursued the ideals of modern civilization.
This exhibition is a full retrospective of HORIGUCHI Sutemi’s work, made possible for the
first time by the National Archives of Modern Architecture’s acquisition of all of

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HORIGUCHI’s materials, which until now had been divided between several separate
collections. We hope you will visit the National Archives of Modern Architecture and enjoy
the world of HORIGUCHI, who, a century ago in the new era of modernity, showed the way
forward for architecture in Japan.

■Basic Information[Organization] Agency for Cultural Affairs[Planning] National Archives of Modern Architecture[Cooperation] Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
Kanto Chapter, Architectural Institute of Japan
Window Research InstituteMuseum Het Schip[Venue]National Archives of Modern Architecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs（4-6-15 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo）[Date]

2024.8.9 Fri. －10.27 Sun.
Closed：Mondays(Open on holidays that fall on a Monday. In which case thefollowing day will be closed: Open on 12th Aug., 16th Sep., 23rd Sep., 14th Oct.
Closed on 13th Aug., 17th Sep., 24th Sep., 15th Oct.)
Some of exhibits will be changed during the exhibition period.

[Open hours] 10:00－16:30[Entry]Case1 To view the exhibition only (open on weekdays only).
Please enter from the main gate of the Yushima Local Common Government
Offices. Admission is free. Visitors are not allowed entry into the Tokyo Metropolitan
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens.
Case2 To view both the exhibition and Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens.
Please enter via the Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens (Admission 400 yen) .

Press Release■Contents
Chapter1: Bunriha Kenchiku Kai and the Influence of Expressionism 1920–1929
Bunriha Kenchiku Kai, The Tokyo Peace Exibition, Koide House, Shienso, Soshokyo（L） Bunriha Kenchiku Kai, Bunriha Kenchiku Kai Manifesto and Works, Published by Iwanami Shoten｜Illustrated by
HORIGUCHI Sutemi｜1920（R）Shienso Plans and Elevations｜date unknown

Chapter2: Devotion to the International Style 1930–1939
Kikkawa House, Okada House, Oshima Island Weather Station, Wakasa House,
Competition of Chureito Memorials to War Dead（L）Kikkawa Residence Perspective Drawing｜1925（R）Wakasa Residence Elevations｜date unknown

Chapter3: Searching for “Japan” 1940–1958
Growing Interest in Teahouse, Actual Suevey of Teahouse, Hashokan Yagotomise（L）Surveyed Drawing of Tai-an Teahouse, Myoki-an｜1936（R）Hashokan Sakura no ma Elevations｜1956

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Chapter4: Transcending boundaries between tradition and modernity 1954–1984
Japanese Pavilion for Sao Paulo Exposition, Manyo Park, Manyo-kan, Manyo-tei, Shizuoka
Futaba Gakuen, Tokoname Ceramics Research Institute, Seikei-an Teahouse（L）Japanese Pavilion for Sao Paulo Exposition Perspective Drawing｜1953（R）Tokoname Ceramics Researchi Institute, Model Photography｜date unknown■Exhibition Highlight(1) the Charm of Original Drawings
Learn about the architect HORIGUCHI Sutemi through original drawings of exemplaryworks.
(2) Various Materials on Display in Japan for the First TimeSee photographs taken during his tour of Europe in the 1920s, items from the Bunriha
Kenchiku Kai exhibition, and research materials from measured surveys of teahousesand gardens.
(3) Full-size Replica of a Teahouse
Experience the interior space of a teahouse through a full-scale replica of the teahouseat the Kakujo Goto residence (Yosuitei), in the style of Kobori Enshū, which was includedin the 12-volume book series Teahouse Drawings (Bokusuishobo, 1967), edited by
Horiguchi Sutemi.
(4) Collaborative Exhibition
The exhibition “Horiguchi Sutemi and the Architecture of Meiji University Buildings 1955–65” will be held during the annual conference of the Architectural Institute of Japan (Meiji
University Surugadai Campus, 27–30 August 2024). Viewing both exhibitions will allow
a multifaceted appreciation.
■Inquiry
National Archives of Modern Architecture, Agency for Cultural Affairs
e-mail nama@mext.go.jp ／ Tel. 03-3812-3401