Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a little piece of Japan that lies in Philadelphia’s West Fairmont Park, in the form of a 17th-century style Japanese house and garden. A true reflection of Japanese culture, this exhibition was designed by the Tokyo-based modernist architect Junzo Yashimura as part of a series of model homes in the sculpture garden at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.
History of Shofuso
Shofuso, constructed in 1953, is a traditional Shoin-zukuri Japanese house that includes a tea house and a Japanese garden. It was designed eight years post-World War II and built in Nagoya, Japan using traditional construction techniques and materials. The house stands as a gesture of goodwill from Japan, after their surrender and symbolizes reconciliation and cultural exchange. It was on display as part of “The House in the Museum Garden” series. The exhibit focused on showcasing three different types of structures that were influential in mid-century modern American architecture.
After the exhibit was concluded, the house was relocated and reassembled at its current site in Philadelphia in 1957. The following year, Japanese landscape designer Tansai Sano redesigned the garden into a 17th-century-style viewing garden to complement the new structure. In 2007, Hiroshi Senju, an international artist, donated 20 contemporary murals to Shofuso, inspired by the garden’s waterfall. Shofuso is currently the setting for the exhibition “Shofuso and Modernism: Mid-Century Collaboration between Japan and Philadelphia.”
Architectural Features
Shoin-zukuri is a traditional Japanese architectural style, typically associated with mansions for the military, living quarters for Zen abbots, and temple guest halls during the Azucho-Momoyama period through the Edo period. Shofuso is a unique example of this style, characterized by the use of natural materials. It can be regarded as the only example of this style outside of Japan.
The house personifies the design principles of harmony, simplicity, and a deep connection to nature, as associated with traditional Japanese architecture. Crafted completely out of natural materials, such as Cyprus wood, bamboo, and paper, the finish and details are elegant yet simple. This historic site is enclosed by a lime-washed wall, with the pond centering as the focal point of the grounds. The minimalistic aesthetics of the Endo period are reflected in the sparse interior design. The floors are covered with tatami mats—traditional woven straw mats that provide a soft, comfortable surface to walk on. The purpose of these mats goes beyond just adding warmth and texture to the space, they are a reminder of the inherent simplicity and functionality of Japanese design.
Designed in a traditional peasant style, the kitchen features an earthen floor grounding the space in simplicity and functionality. This stove has a three-burner setup, a practical and ingenious design for accommodating multiple cooking techniques at the same time. The right fire is used for simmering soups, the middle to stir-fry, and the left for steaming rice. This setup maximizes efficiency and reflects the thoughtful organization of a Japanese household.
Fusuma and shoji, or sliding doors, are incorporated throughout Shofuso to create a flexible open floor plan, blurring the boundary between inside and outside. The house is designed for natural ventilation and the lack of furniture, an intentional move, adds to this ethos, keeping the architecture at the forefront. One of the most striking elements is the hinoki bark roof, a rare and labor-intensive feature that requires skilled artisans to maintain. The roof’s organic texture and gentle curves echo the natural landscape, while the chashitsu (tea room) within the house.
The Zen Garden
A Japanese masterpiece of landscape design, the garden at Shofuso is meticulously designed to embody a sense of tranquility and peace with nature. The design focuses on reflecting the changing seasons and includes a koi pond, a cascading waterfall, and arranged stepping stones that symbolize mountains and islands. The layout of the garden follows the principles of Zen Buddhism, which focuses on balance, beauty, and simplicity of imperfection.
A hidden gem, the spring season brings delicate blooms of cherry blossoms which make the garden come alive. In the summer, the garden is lush with green foliage and the calming sounds of cascading water. Autumn season morphs the garden to a sea of red and yellow leaves, while the winter blankets it in a relative stillness. The garden is not merely an accompaniment to the house but an integral part of the experience, embodying the Japanese philosophy of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) and offering visitors a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
Cultural Significance of Shofuso
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden is a cultural testament to the evolving history and exchange between Japan and the United States. It acts as a bridge between these two diverse cultures, reflecting a glimpse of Japanese tradition. The house functions as a space for cultural exchange, hosting events like tea ceremonies, ikebana (flower arrangement) workshops, among other festivals that celebrate and voice Japanese heritage.
The interior is decorated with contemporary murals made by artist Hiroshi Senju, which exemplify how Shofuso integrates modern Japanese culture in this traditional setting. Shofuso also plays an integral educational role, fostering an atmosphere of enriched cultural Japanese values. By preserving and sharing these traditions, Shofuso not only honors its historical roots but also continues to inspire cross-cultural dialogue and appreciation in the heart of Philadelphia.
References:
Atoigue, Z. (2024) Day 87: Shofuso Japanese house and Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, APIAHiP. Available at: https://apiahip.org/everyday/day-87-shofuso-japanese-house-and-garden-philadelphia-pennsylvania (Accessed: 28 February 2025).
Shofuso Japanese House and garden (no date) Shofuso Japanese House and Garden | Independence Visitor Center. Available at: https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/shofusohouse (Accessed: 01 March 2025).
Brozo, S. (2019) Shofuso Japanese House and Garden (Asian architects / designers / artists of philly), AIA Philadelphia. Available at: https://aiaphiladelphia.org/news/committee-news/171/171-Shofuso-Japanese-House-and-Garden-ASIAN-ARCHITECTS-DESIGNERS-ARTISTS-OF-PHILLY (Accessed: 01 March 2025).
Ziggy (2014) Japanese architecture in Philadelphia: Shofuso House and garden, The Year of Mud. Available at: https://theyearofmud.com/2014/04/15/philadelphia-shofuso-house/ (Accessed: 01 March 2025).
Historical narrative of shofuso this project was funded, in part … (no date) Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia: Shofuso History. Available at: https://japanphilly.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Historical-Narrative.pdf (Accessed: 01 March 2025).
Yasuka (2024) Traditional Japanese architecture: Sukiya-Zukuri and Shoin-Zukuri: KCP, KCP International. Available at: https://www.kcpinternational.com/2014/12/traditional-japanese-architecture-sukiya-zukuri-and-shoin-zukuri/ (Accessed: 01 March 2025).
Images:
Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, by J. Fusco. Visit Philadelphia, https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/shofusohouse
Traditional Japanese style House, by J. Cheney. Uncovering PA, https://uncoveringpa.com/shofuso-japanese-house-and-garden-in-philadelphia
Interiors of Shofuso. Year of the Mud, https://theyearofmud.com/2014/04/15/philadelphia-shofuso-house/
Traditional Cooking Stove. Year of the Mud, https://theyearofmud.com/2014/04/15/philadelphia-shofuso-house/
Cherry Blossoms in Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. The Cultural Landscape Foundation, https://www.tclf.org/landscapes/shofuso-japanese-house-and-garden
Shofuso Japanese House, Philadelphia by J. Cheney. Uncovering PA, https://uncoveringpa.com/shofuso-japanese-house-and-garden-in-philadelphia
