Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Wood and Life Span



I really love wood. And I really love how they used wood for the walls of this shrine.

This is the side wall of Akagi Shrine (you can see the front in a previous post here). I learned that this new and modern shrine was designed by a famous Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma. He's one of my favorite architects, not that I know very many by name, but I like how he designs buildings with both futuristic and traditional styles.

I found a random interview article where he talks about his style and interests...and how he doesn't like ties. His says "somebody said that a tie decreases the length of our life by ten years, this is why the average life of ladies is ten years longer." How fascinating.

Do you think this is true?


15 comments:

  1. Wood is warm and never goes out of style.

    Lovely pics.

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  2. I like the mix of wood and glass. A nice combination of modern and traditional.

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  3. Kaori, you have a really good eye for interesting lines! And did you notice the curved patterns that appear in the thumbnail of this? I love how clean and neat and inviting this shrine is. - I have never understood ties. I once worked at a restaurant and had to wear a tie as part of the uniform. It is like tying a noose around one's neck every morning for work. Maybe it is a symbol of the strangle-hold that a job which requires a tie has on a person.

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  4. The light inside the shrine - falling through those wooden slats - must be beautiful. PS: I think Kuma is a wise man!

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  5. Well I'm not sure about the tie thing Kaori, but who knows!! I love wood too, I like the smell and the feel of it.

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  6. I like his sense of humor and his sense of style.

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  7. I love wood too and this is a great work, thanks for introducing us to this architect.

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  8. I have no idea why but your top photo made me think of Japan’s oldest shrine: Izumo Grand Shrine. Maybe the angle of the roof; the clean, crisp lines; the all-wood structure... So Japanese.

    I don’t care for ties. They do constrict blood flow at the neck which is a critical area for blood flow. Surely they create stress which one can become inured to consciously but wearing a necktie is like working in an environment with constant blaring sound: you get “used” to it but the build up of stress is harsh and unavoidable. Rachel above had a great take. But when I was forced to wear a tie for work I sought out the gaudiest or most artistic ties I could find. A pair of favorites were tie-dyed silk I found in Ameyoko. Too bad I never came across a certain reversible tie like here.

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  9. If it's true then I'm glad I only had to wear ties to work for a couple of years. These days, working in the computer industry in Colorado, I can wear jeans! These photos are wonderful, I also love those wooden walls.

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  10. Kaori,
    As you said, this is an excellent example of the fusion of modern and tradition. How beautifully and gracefully the wood is used in the structure!!
    I believe what he said. Especially during summer, to wear a tie must be terrible.
    Best wishes,
    keiko

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  11. Very nice geometry in this shot, Kaori - and it shows the beauty of the wood.

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  12. This is a beauty, the lines of the temple are stunning. And I share your appreciation of wood. Ties? Sheesh, why would a man (or woman, for that matter) want to tie a noose around his neck? It's one of many odd fashion dictates that serves absolutely no function.

    [Glad I could inspire a good solution to your writing grandma mission! :-) ]

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  13. I love wood too ^.^

    But I don't like ties. For me men wearing them look like as if they were on a leash, controlled by someone. I prefer "wilder" looks of rock stars then ^^

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