Photographer Yuriko Takagi built a house in Karuizawa and moved there two years ago. She was born and raised in Tokyo, then moved to Europe for 17 years. After her return, Takagi surprisingly chose Karuizawa, where she continued her photography activities by traveling to remote areas of the world, while she set her base in Tokyo. She fell in love with the land at first sight and built a house with three functions: studio, office, and residence. Her monochrome home, with gentle light streaming in, sits quietly in the forest. Introducing her thoughts on her home along with the scenery around her home taken by her photographer, Yuriko Takagi, for her own records.
Black Karesansui that imitates nature
I came across this land when I visited a friend who had purchased land in Karuizawa. Trees such as wild cherry trees that are said to be 150 years old and splendid mountain maples grow naturally here, and I was instantly drawn to the scenery and the fertility of the soil.
Large branches and trees cast shadows on the light shining into the room. Looking out at the garden from the guest room window is her beloved cat, Tenko.
In the garden, rocks from this area were placed to create a black dry landscape. Japan's passion for gardens began with the imitation of nature.
After deciding to move to Karuizawa, my daily life suddenly became hectic. First, he attended a driving school to obtain a driver's license, and then commissioned an architect. When it came to choosing an architect, just like when I first encountered the land, I instinctively asked Mr. Naka of Naka Architectural Design Studio, whom I had met just a year ago. Because it is located in a villa area, I wanted a space where I could not only enjoy nature, but also a space where I could feel a certain tension as soon as I stepped foot in it. I told him my three requests: valuing harmony with the world. As a result, he designed an unusual, compact yet multifunctional house that quietly stretches out in three directions without cutting trees as much as possible. Furthermore, it has become a comfortable space with a Japanese atmosphere, where you can feel the shadows of light and the sound of the wind.
When I think of a Japanese-style house, I don't mean Japanese architecture such as Sukiya-zukuri, but rather a house that allows gentle light and ventilation to pass through while creating a sense of unity and connection with the outside. Although this house was not designed specifically to look like a Japanese house, it still has the aesthetics of a Japanese house. I believe that as a result of my search for a comfortable space, I was guided by the spirit that dwells deep within the Japanese people.
The guest rooms have low windows offering views of the garden. When you lie down, you will feel like you are surrendering to nature.
I put three big rocks in the garden. Then I saw a tractor moving around the garden, leaving wheel marks in the dirt. For some reason, the remaining tire marks drawn on the black soil looked cool, and that inspired me to create a black dry landscape garden in my garden. However, the soil here was affected by the eruption of Mt. Asama, so it is black and has many pebbles. Therefore, large quantities of baked sand were brought in to create a black dry landscape. Karesansui involves cultivating the soil and carefully drawing lines so as not to leave footprints...it's like an ascetic practice. In spring, wild cherry blossom petals fall on top of the black Karesansui, filling the grooves of the Karesansui. The cherry blossom colored line drawing is simply stunning.
Cherry blossom petals fall into the grooves of Karesansui, turning the spring garden into a cherry blossom color.
The shades of ink and black create abstract colors.
The walls of a photo studio are usually almost white. Why is there no black? I've always thought that. The expressions of people and objects appear to change depending on the color of the background. Expressions and emotions that cannot be captured with white can emerge from black. I like that black power. That's why I painted the walls of my home studio black. Although it is called black, it is not jet black, but sumikuro. As a result, the walls and floor became slightly mottled, creating shading in the black ink, and the texture became more visible depending on the way the light hit it. This abstract black ink creates a quiet and comfortable space.
Light shines into the wall, creating shadows on the ink-black wall.
Tenko-san stands in front of an ink-black wall.
(Titles omitted)
Yuriko Takagi
Photographers
Born in Tokyo in 1951. After studying graphic design at Musashino Art University, he moved to England. He studied fashion design at Trent Polytechnic and worked as a freelance designer in Europe before switching to photography. He is currently based in Japan and is actively working while continuing to travel to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. His works, which pursue the ``existence of people'' through fashion and the human body from his unique perspective, are delicate yet overwhelmingly strong, exposing the unique atmosphere of the place and the life hidden deep within. In recent years, he has also been working on a project called "chaoscosmos," which aims to capture the mysteries of natural phenomena. He has held exhibitions in Japan and Europe. Major works include ``Nus Intime'' (Yobisha), ``Confused Gravitation'' (Bijutsu Publishing), ``IN AND OUT OF MODE'' (Gap Japan), ``Skin YURIKO TAKAGI × KOZUE HIBINO'' (Fusosha), ``sei ” (Xavier Barral).
https://www.yurikotakagi.com
→Continue to the four seasons of a home seeking fusion with nature (Part 2).
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