ABSTRACT
The examination of the architecture of the Shōkō-ken has taken the form of a close architectural reading of the tea-house and accompanying tea-garden. It is proposed that a personalised image or individuated ‘face’ of the tea house is a useful and perhaps necessary concept for architectural scholarship with regard to sukiya architecture. The ‘face’ is developed as a composite term combining the meanings of Japanese terms konomi, sukiya, fūryū and sakui. Based upon this concept the examination has set out to test whether or not the ‘face’ of Hosokawa Sansai can be rendered through measurement of the Shōkō-ken teahouse, as it stands in its present day form. Several issues regarding the validity of the study are raised. Firstly, to what extent does the modus operandi of the examination inhibit the recognition of the tea-master by rigidly adhering to only the architectural aspects of his production, and secondly, to what extend do the issues of authenticity concerning sukiya architecture and in particular those related to the Shōkō-ken have bearing on the study in part, or for that matter overall. With broader implications to the study of sukiya architecture the study also set out to test certain claims—whether or not it is necessary to be Japanese in order to fully understand or appreciate the ‘face’ of sukiya architecture, and furthermore, to what extent does an architect or for that matter an architectural scholar require to be experienced in chadō discipline in order to obtain architectural insight into the sukiya form.
