Snowbound Minka (民家)

Photo Credits
I chose this photo of a minka (literally, house of the people) because we have had endless snow today. I think it started last night -- and it's not over yet! This is the second of three snowstorms that closely followed last week's record-breaking ice-storm damage here in New England. Thank you, SHOkOLATE for letting me use your photo! Here's another snowbound minka.

The Other Minka
For those who have not discovered my profile, Minka was the nickname my grandmother gave to her sister Minya, for whom I was named. And, for those that do not know, I love things Japanese. So, you can imagine my delight when I learned (decades ago) that a minka is also a Japanese country home. If I ever won Megabucks (unlikely, since I don't buy tickets), a minka would be at the top of my list -- certainly to visit some, maybe sleep in one, and perhaps to own and live in one.

More About Minkas
This morning, I tripped over a wonderful website of a company that restores and also relocates minkas -- Minka International. My favorite section of their website provides a short history of the minka -- its purpose, its demise, and its return to recognition.

Wikipedia provides a quick overview of the types of minkas, their construction, and roofing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minka.

Roderick and Takishita
In his 2007 book, Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan, John Roderick tells the story of his 250-year-old minka and it's restoration. It sounded interesting enough that I ordered a copy today. The story of the renovation of Roderick's minka is also told by his Japanese foster son, Yoshihiro Takishita. In 2002, Takishita wrote about the restoration of more than a dozen minkas in Japanese Country Style: Putting New Life into Old Houses. This one is going onto my wish list.

Minkas are Takishita's life work, so it's no wonder he has a blog about minkas and a website with tons of wonderful minka-related links. Here's one of the best: Nihon Minkaen, a Japanese Open-Air Folk House Museum. The Museum is at the top of my list of places I long to visit.

For more minka photos and resources go here.