The Japanese Gardening Organization was founded at the request of 14th generation Master Builder, Kiyoshi Yasui (1925 – 2010), a sukiya* craftsman nominated as National Living Treasure of Japan for his knowledge and talent in temple construction and restoration. He saw that the world was changing and the traditional Japanese method of passing on knowledge would not endure.

His mission then, to share his knowledge and passion for sukiya architecture and gardens, is the foundation of this organization.

OUR MISSION:  Japanese Gardening Organization, Intl. was created to foster the knowledge, appreciation and application of Japanese gardening.  Included in this mission are the following:

  • Spread the benefits of Japanese gardening for individuals, groups, communities, and society.
  • Develop educational and instructional programs pertaining to Japanese gardening.
  • Provide forums for the discussion of topics of common interest to professional and amateur gardeners and others interested in Japanese gardens.
  • Provide an accurate source of information pertaining to Japanese gardens.

 

KIYOSHI YASUI

The Japanese Gardening Organization honors the late Kiyoshi Yasui who’s knowledge, vision and sharing was the inspiration for this organization.

photo by Don Pylant

Kiyoshi Yasui (December 6, 1925 – October 30, 2010) – Japanese Traditional Architect

Biography
Kiyoshi Yasui was born in Muko-cho, Kyoto in 1925 as the 14th-generation of a master builder family having a history of over 350 years.  After graduating from Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto in 1945, he joined his father’s company, Yasuimoku Koumuten Company, Ltd., and was involved in many projects in renovation, restoration and construction of authentic traditional Japanese structures such as temple, shrines, palaces and tea houses. He also worked actively to train successors in the field of traditional architecture and Japanese garden. For example, he founded the traditional architecture course in Kuma industrial high school, Kumamoto, and gave instruction to the students for 16 years.

In 2001, he left the company and established his own workshop “Sei-Juku” to provide high level expertise to professionals from around the country through practical work, including preservation of cultural property and construction of sukiya-style house*. In later years, he took up many valuable timbers from traditional structures which were otherwise to be demolished and wasted, and has reserved them hoping to reuse. Before realizing his hope, Yasui died suddenly on 30 October 2010, aged 85. His will has been inherited by the members of Sei-Juku.

Works
1945 – 2001 : Yasuimoku Koumuten
1970　Shokado (Tea house, Museum and Garden), Yahata, Kyoto Pref.
1971  Relocation of Jo-an Tea House, Inuyama, Aichi Pref.*
1976  Restoration of Tai-an Tea House, Myoki-an Temple Oyamazaki, Kyoto Pref.*
1977-1981 Comprehensive restoration of Katsura Imperial Villa, Kyoto
1979　Japanese house (Kyo-no-machiya) in Boston Children’s Museum
1984-1990  Restoration of Hakone Garden (Saratoga, CA.)
1985　Shoin room in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
1987　Kumamoto En Sister City Garden in San Antonio Botanical Gardens (Texas)

*Both Jo-an and Tai-an are one of the three best Tea Houses preserved as National Treasures

2001- 2010 :Sei-Juku
2006  Restoration of Sugimoto Residence, Kyoto
2006　Restoration of Hogonin Temple, Kyoto
2006 -2010  Tateshina Bamboo garden with tea house, Nagano
2007　Construction of Sukiya-style residence, Kyoto
2010  Construction of Sukiya-style residence, Osaka

＜参考：英文プロフィールの直訳です＞
安井清(1925年12月６日 – 2010年10月30日) 　日本の伝統建築家

 

安井清は、1925年、350年以上の歴史を持つ棟梁家の14代目として生まれた。1945年立命館大学卒業後、父の会社である安井杢工務店に入社。社寺、宮殿、茶室等の日本伝統建築の修理、建築プロジェクトに多数携わる。一方、伝統建築と日本庭園分野における後継者の育成にも積極的に取り組んだ。熊本県の球磨工業高校に伝統建築科を創設し、16年間生徒の指導にあたった。また2001年に安井杢工務店を退社してからは自身のワークショップ「清塾」を設立。文化財の保護や数寄屋建築等の実際の仕事を通じて、全国から集まった職人に高い専門技術を伝えた。後年は解体処分される伝統建築から貴重な建材を引き取って保管し、いつか再利用したいと考えていた。その実現をまたず、2010年10月30日、病気のため急逝した。享年85歳。彼の遺志は残された清塾生が引き継いでいる。

 

主な仕事
1945 – 2001 : 安井杢工務店
1970 松花堂（茶室、美術館、庭園）、京都府八幡市
1971 茶室「如庵」移築、愛知県犬山市*
1976 妙喜庵　茶室「待庵」修理、京都府大山崎市*
1977-1981　桂離宮の大修理
1979　ボストンこども博物館の京町屋
1984-1990ハコネガーデンの整備（カリフォルニア州サラトガ）
1985　メトロポリタン美術館日本ギャラリーの書院（ニューヨーク）
1987　サンアントニオ植物園「熊本園」（テキサス）
*如庵と待庵はいずれも、3つある国宝茶室の1つである。

2001-2010 :清塾
2006 杉本家住宅の修理（京都）
2006　宝厳院の修理（京都）
2006 -2010 蓼科笹類植物園（長野）
2007 数寄屋住宅の建築（京都）
2010 数寄屋住宅の建築（大阪）

*sukiya: One type of Japanese residential architectural style. The word originally denoted a building in which tea ceremony was held. It has come to indicate a style of designing public facilities and private homes based on tea house aesthetics, characterised by a use of natural materials. The beauty of sukiya-zukuri comes from the delicate sensibility of slender wood elements and other natural materials used, and the simplicity of ornamentation, if any. (source: Wikipedia).