Sukiya

The autumn exhibition takes an in-depth look at the traditional Japanese sukiya architectural and woodwork style. To mark the occasion, a full-sized sukiya teahouse has been constructed in the museum’s large exhibition hall. It is displayed alongside exhibits shedding light on traditional Japanese woodworking traditions, tools and techniques.

Sukiya is a Japanese architectural style found nowhere else in the world. Its roots trace back to ancient Japanese history and the philosophy of rustic simplicity and tranquility advocated by ancient tea masters such as Senno Rikyu (1522–1591) and Furuta Oribe (1544–1615). The sukiya style has acquired its inimitable form through centuries of perfecting by local master craftsmen and skilled joiners. Unlike earlier Japanese architectural styles emphasizing sturdiness, the sukiya style is infused with grace, airiness and delicacy.

Sukiya joiners took their raw materials direct from the forests, combining timber, bamboo, reeds, clay and a variety of building materials, all of which were permitted to retain their original colours, forms and textures. The imperfections of nature provided a source of aesthetic inspiration for the sukiya style.

The exhibition was produced by Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum in collaboration with the Museum of Finnish Architecture’s exhibition team.