House & Garden, Kyoto

Photography, Creative & Art Direction: Edvinas Bruzas
Words: Mihoko Iida
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Commissioned by Arta Ghanbari & Owen Gale
Featured in House & Garden May 2024

“Hiragiya ryokan, possibly the most beautiful in Kyoto, started as a transportation and seafood shipping business, founded by Shogoro I, who was originally from Fukui, a prefecture to the north east. The second-generation head of the household became a renowned artisan of tsuba-menuki (decorated sword guards used by the samurai) and the family accommodated his samurai guests. This paved the way for Hiiragiya ryokan, which continues to host dignitaries from all over the world today, who come to admire its reed ceilings, polished beams, hand-carved ranma panels - which allow light and air to circulate - and its papered shoji windows framing views of the garden. Author Yumi Yamaguchi explains that the ryokan is often linked to the concept of omotenashi or 'to entertain wholeheartedly' - without expectation of anything in return. As such, the ryokan goes beyond the service expected at Western hotels, where the relationship between hotel and guest is transactional. Omotenashi became a buzzword in 2013 when Tokyo was bidding to host the 2020 Olympics, and interpretations of the term continue to vary. But, at the end of the day, it is actually about the universal desire for human connection. In an ever-changing world, where services are increasingly being taken over by Al and personal interaction seems on the way out, beingto when dinner is served and having your breakfast brought inebyour room between 7.30am and 8.30am could indeed be the biggest luxuries of all.”

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