MEMORIES OF FRIENDS & CHERRY BLOSSOMS
Doris Sheen
Japan and its people became so much a part of our family during our two stays, that we wanted to recreate a small part of its charm and tranquility in our retirement home here in the states.
When our Japanese friends learned of our desire to build a "tatami room" help began pouring in. Inoue san's sister was remodeling her home and gave us tatami mats (5 1/2) and six shoji doors that started the whole project ruling.
Ranma from Kurasawa-san, another dear friend arrived early one morning, Scrolls, silk screens, lamps, even a beautiful copper shabu shabu pot from Takagi san for my chief chef Charlie to use on the kotatsu that we received as yet another gift.
All of these treasures have been stored for over ten years whilst we built by hand our authentic log home on land adjacent to our son and his family.
Our first project was an outhouse to use while we were building - it includes a Japanese style toilet with the hand wash spout. Our second project was an ofuro for our main bath area. It is so neat! Everyone loves it, including the grandchildren.
The tatami room has been a project of love. Charlie worked hours designing the room to fit into the log construction. The shrinking and expanding of the large logs means everything has to be moveable as the house breaths and lives.
Finally, after several months of planning and searching we were ready to start. Bamboo flooring was found locally and perfect cedar lumber from Washington State..
The hardest thing to find and purchase was the plastic runner strips for the sliding of the shoji doors. Thanks to our friend Koike san it was soon in the mail from Tokyo.
The room is raised 10" to accommodate storing futons, extra serving tables, etc. It is 3 1/2 meters x 4 3/4 meters with a 4 1/2 mat assembly with kotatsu in the center. (tea ceremony style).
The room is surrounded by the bamboo flooring and is accented with indirect spotlights to highlight the hangings and focal points. Charlie has even piped in Obon music .
I know that the Japanese do not hang their kimonos, but we do hang our baptism gowns, etc and since most Americans have never seen such beautiful workmanship - I decided to show off the lovely kimono that I had received as a gift.
We are using the room to entertain . Charlie is busy serving his special menus of filet katsu, sushi, squid, etc. . Of course all meals are accompanied by sake. Everyone who comes falls in love with the peaceful evenings, background music and the food of Japan.
We cherish our memories of our time in your country and your friendships. We think of you each daily and hope that one day you will visit us.
Doris & Charlie Sheen
Minami Circle
