A Modern Vision for a Historic Kyoto Estate: Chisui-an's Transformation
When Yusaku Maezawa, the visionary founder of Japan's largest online fashion retailer, ZOZO, encountered a rare chance to acquire a historic bettei, a traditional secondary residence, nestled in Kyoto's revered Nanzen-ji temple area, his decision was immediate. His entrepreneurial spirit, known for bold ventures like acquiring a Basquiat painting for a record-breaking sum and traveling to the International Space Station, led him to embark on this significant architectural journey.
As the new custodian of this esteemed property, which encompasses a 4,000-square-foot villa, a separate teahouse, and a meticulously designed garden spanning a third of an acre, Maezawa's primary goal was to safeguard the intrinsic character of the 19th-century site while infusing it with modern elegance. The home, known as Chisui-an, is a magnificent example of sukiya-style architecture, celebrated for its refined simplicity and deep connection to nature. Maezawa, who also maintains residences in Tokyo and Chiba, expressed a unique appreciation for the aged mud walls, highlighting his desire to preserve their evolving beauty and create an environment where the home's soul could truly flourish, diverging from a concept of luxury defined solely by newness.
The transformation was a seven-year undertaking, overseen by Maezawa with exacting standards. He assembled an extraordinary team, including architect Hiroshi Nakamura of NAP Architectural Design Office, Ueyakato Landscape—a 178-year-old gardening and landscaping firm led by eighth-generation president Tomoki Kato—and Nakamura Sotoji Komuten, a traditional carpentry company that coincidentally contributed to the original construction decades earlier. The renovation prioritized a harmonious integration of the house and garden, guided by the philosophy of teioku ichinyo. The central feature, a pond with a turtle-shaped island symbolizing longevity, was enhanced by Kato's precise landscaping, ensuring optimal views from within the residence. Despite regulatory limitations on structural expansion, modern comforts like air-conditioning and underfloor heating were discreetly added. A highlight requested by Maezawa was an outdoor timber deck featuring a Shirakawa stone open-air bath. Indoor spaces saw the replacement of a traditional hearth and tatami with bespoke silk carpeting and curated midcentury furniture from his personal collection, featuring luminaries such as Isamu Noguchi, Jean Royère, and Alexandre Noll.
Maezawa's impressive art collection is thoughtfully integrated throughout the estate, with pieces often rotated to suit the season or guests. He believes art should be lived with and experienced, not merely stored away, emphasizing that visible and appreciated art enriches the space. The estate also showcases sophisticated Japanese craftsmanship, from downlights discreetly set into ceilings to unique cedar lattice window screens in the living room, crafted from thin, translucent Italian marble for enhanced privacy and sound insulation—a testament to Maezawa's enthusiasm for tackling challenging, innovative design solutions. His role as guardian of Chisui-an reflects a profound understanding of his responsibility to preserve its enduring value for future generations, believing that certain creations possess an everlasting quality beyond what AI and robots can replicate, a thought that fills him with immense joy.