Study on Restoration and Preservation of Oya Stone Parts of the Myonichikan

Abstract

Jiyugakuen Myonichikan was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his disciple Arata Endo. The Myonichikan was designated as an important cultural property in May 1997. Oya-stone is used extensively in the Myonichikan as well as in Imperial Hotel in Tokyo beacase it is soft enough in which to carve geometrical patterns. However it also deteriorates easily. Because the Myonichikan had become superannuated many parts of Oya-stone have deteriorated and there were structural problems. Therefore restoration work was conducted from 1999 to 2001. This paper arranges details of restoration according to various building structures where Oya-stone is used such as basements, columns, fireplace, chimney, etc. This will provide important data for restoration and preservation of buildings using Oya-stone.

Typological study of Oya stone buildings and townscapes: A case study of Nishine District, Tokujirou Town, Utsunomiya City

“…Existing studies on Oya stone buildings include the examination of the construction process of historical buildings by me 3 or others, 4 a discussion on the design process of architects, 5 a report on the conservation and repair of Oya stone used for buildings, 6 and an analysis of the traditional construction methods using Oya stone 7,8 . Moreover, studies that focus on the Oya stone and its allied industries include a discussion about the distribution of Oya stone quarries and the organization of related craftspeople, 9 and an examination of the relationship between the history of the former castle town and Oya stone buildings 10 .…”