Historical Narrative of Shofuso

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

Shofuso, also known as Pine Breeze Villa, is a traditional Shoin-zukuri Japanese house with a teahouse and a Japanese garden located in the natural setting of Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park (see Figures 1-1, 1-2). Along with visitor and staff service facilities (see Figure 1-3), it is on a triangular area of land surrounded by Lower Horticultural Hall Drive to the north, Lansdowne Drive to the south, and Belmont Drive to the east. Standing in Philadelphia since 1958, it was initially called the Japanese Exhibition House and was designed by Japanese architect Junzo Yoshimura as part of a series of model homes in the sculpture garden at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. Built in 1953, only eight years after the Japanese surrender that ended World War II, Shofuso was a good will gesture made by the Japanese people through The America-Japan Society to the United States. Since the 1970s, Shofuso has experienced the serious effects of both natural deterioration as well as vandalism in Philadelphia. Fortunately, the American Bicentennial in 1976 allowed for a much needed restoration of the House. Twenty years later, another restoration program is being implemented by its friends group, The Friends of the Japanese House and Garden. The House was always well received by the American public, both in New York and Philadelphia. Today, it continues its original intent of bringing Japanese architecture and culture to the United States. Shofuso’s uniqueness as an example of the Shoin-zukuri Japanese architectural style in this country, as well as its reflection of and impact on American culture makes it a nationally significant structure.

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