Retro Japan: 'Greek temple' hall in Yokohama houses traditional wooden structure

YOKOHAMA -- A building here whose exterior is reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple houses a wooden structure often seen inside traditional Japanese architecture.
Nestled within the lush greenery of Okurayama Park on a hill in Yokohama's Kohoku Ward, the Okurayama Memorial Hall welcomes visitors. It was completed in 1932 as the main building of the Okura Institute for the Study of Spiritual Culture by businessperson Kunihiko Okura (1882-1971).
Designed by Uheiji Nagano (1867-1937), renowned for his work on many bank buildings during the Meiji era (1868-1912) and the Taisho era (1912-1926), the building features an entrance hall with an open atrium approximately 21 meters high. When sunlight streams through the stained glass, the space is bathed in a golden hue. Looking up, one can see terracotta sculptures of lions and eagles inside the tower atop the atrium, giving the feeling of being watched by them.
The ceiling of the third-floor hall showcases the structural beauty of Japanese zelkova woodwork, which also contributes to the production of high-quality acoustics. Small concerts are also held in the space. The capitals of the columns supporting the ceiling incorporate the "tokyo" architectural structure, often used to support the heavy roofs of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan.
The building was donated by the Okura Institute to the Yokohama Municipal Government, and it opened as a memorial hall in 1984. In 1991, it was designated as a tangible cultural property by the city.
(Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Department)
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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on April 2, 2023.
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This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.

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To date, textile manufacturers have developed a variety of wash processes, including stone washing, in which denim garments are put in a washing machine with pumice and abrasives; chemical washing, in which garments are treated with bleach and other additives; and bleaching, in which oxidants and reductants are added to fade the fabric. Another manufacturing technique that enables makers to add value is 'distressing,' in which fabric is sandblasted or otherwise intentionally damaged. As well as enabling Kojima-based manufacturers to differentiate themselves from overseas brands, these techniques have also led to the creation of new trends in jeans fashion. The world-leading refinement of these techniques is the reason that many overseas brands of jeans are produced in Kojima. A World Denim Leader Let us consider what needs to be done to enable the continued development of the Kojima jeans industry. It is possible to identify five main areas where work is needed. The merging of traditional craftsmanship with technological innovation The enhancement of branding Tie-ups between industry and tourism Environmental measures Reuse and recycling With regard to technological innovation, the distressing process is now being performed by lasers, as the merger of this new technology with traditional technologies opens up new markets. When it comes to boosting the 'made in Kojima' brand, we can learn a lot from the Swiss watch industry, which pulled off a successful revival in the 1980s through clever marketing. Harnessing tourist attractions like 'Jeans Street,' which is filled with jeans proprietors, and the Jeans Museum, which showcases the history of Kojima's jeans in a way that shares the appeal of the local jeans culture with a large audience, will win new fans. This unique sign greets visitors to Kojima Jeans Street. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) This manhole on Kojima Jeans Street features a characteristic logo and orange stitching. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) It goes without saying that ongoing efforts to manage the large quantities of water and chemicals consumed in the manufacturing process are essential, in addition to other environmental commitments. As textile waste increasingly becomes an issue internationally, initiatives for the reuse of unwanted jeans will become even more important. According to Ōshima Yasuhiro, former chair of the Kojima Chamber of Commerce and president of Betty Smith, 'In addition to being the home of Japanese-produced jeans, Kojima needs to retain its leading position as a manufacturer of the world's most global uniform.' In order to resolve these issues and make Ōshima's aspirations a reality, the fostering of workers who will carry on the craft, as well as engineers who will bring about future innovation, is a matter of urgency. The industry also needs a new entrepreneurial figure to carry on Ozaki Kotarō's legacy of plotting and executing a path for the future. The street remains a popular destination for visitors. (Courtesy Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry) References The author referred to the following works in preparing this article. Christensen, Clayton M., The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail, Harvard Business School Press (1997). David, Paul A., 'Clio and the Economics of QWERTY,' in American Economic Review, Vol. 75 No. 2 (1985). Heldt, Gustav (trans.), The Kojiki: An Account of Ancient Matters, Columbia University Press (2014). Porter, Michael E., Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors, Free Press (1980). Porter, Michael E., The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Free Press (1990). Schumpeter, Joseph A., The Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest, and the Business Cycle, Harvard University Press (1934). Sugiyama Shinsaku, Nihon jīnzu monogatari (The Story of Japanese Jeans), Kibito Publishing (2009). (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: A display of jeans welcomes visitors at the entrance to the Kojima Jeans Street. © Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry.)

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