宮島 Mt Misen Observatory

I recently saw this picture in a survey of contemporary Japanese architecture, of a small observatory built at the top of Mt. Misen on Miyajima /　宮島　/.

I have been to 宮島 but like most day-trippers, I focused on the famous water 鳥居 and deer at Itsukushima Shrine.

Next time I will make the climb.

I love the idea of a quiet place, that defines the boundary between inside and outside, for observing nature from a space for people and reflecting on what matters in the world.

It’s not easy to do this living in Daikanyama, but sometimes I do it from a park bench or in a bookstore or in スタバ and my obersvations/thoughts are mainly about human nature rather than nature nature.

The architect of the Mt. Misen Observatory is Hiroshi Sambuichi, who is more famous for designing Naoshima Hall.

I was curious about him and did a little digging.

In an interview with the Japan Times Style & Design section, he said this about the observatory:

“… since my childhood, I’ve climbed Mount Misen, every New Year’s Eve to see the first sunrise of the year from its peak, where I sit close to iwakura, the seat of sprits. From there, I can perceive all the relationships between the mountain and [its surroundings]. I want visitors to sit (in the observatory) and to feel the energyscape that is woven throughout Mount Misen and the Seto region — the wind, water, sun, moon and terrain. It reminds you what really matters in this world.”

ありがとう Sambuichi-san!