Minka: My Farmhouse in Japan

by John Roderick

In 1959 journalist John Roderick joined the Tokyo bureau of the Associated Press. There, he befriended a Japanese family, the Takishitas. After musing offhandedly that he would like to one day have his own house in Japan, the family unbeknownst to John set out to grant his wish. They found Roderick a 250-year-old minka, or hand-built farmhouse, with a thatched roof and held together entirely by wooden pegs and joinery. It was about to be washed away by flooding and was being offered for only fourteen dollars. Roderick graciously bought the house, but was privately dismayed at the prospect of living in this enormous old relic lacking heating, bathing, plumbing, and proper kitchen facilities. So the minka was dismantled and stored, where Roderick secretly hoped it would stay, as it did for several years. But Roderick's reverence for natural materials and his appreciation of traditional Japanese and Shinto craftsmanship eventually got the better of him. Before long a team of experienced carpenters were hoisting massive beams, laying wide wooden floors, and attaching the split-bamboo ceiling. In just forty days they rebuilt the house on a hill overlooking Kamakura, the ancient capital of Japan. Working together, they renovated the farmhouse, adding features such as floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a modern kitchen, bath, and toilet. From these humble beginnings, Roderick's minka has become internationally known and has hosted such luminaries as President George H. W. Bush, and Senator Hillary Clinton. John Roderick's architectural memoir Minka tells the compelling and often poignant story of how one man fell in love with the people, culture, and ancient building traditions of Japan, and reminds us all about the importance of craftsmanship and the meaning of place and home in the process.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Architecture, Travel, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2003

Reviews

[Cosmic Arcata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasure to read. Wish there were even more pictures but they reference another book.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a sub-genre in the Memoir Department, having to do with staying in a notable place for a period of time. It can be really wide-ranging and complex as with VS Naipaul's The Enigma Of Arrival, or narrower and concerned with an specific aspect of 'notable' --as in Palladian Days: Finding a New Life in a Venetian Country House by S Gable; both are valuable documents, even if the concerns of the latter are narrowed to the life and design of the villa, etc. And I'd recommend both of them for different reasons.

I coincidentally knew the term 'minka' --Japanese farmhouse-- before picking up John Roderick's memoir, and had seen numerous photos in several books about the Japanese design. Even more of a coincidence was that one of the books I'd seen was the beautiful volume of Japanese Country Style containing lush color photography of the houses restored by Mr Roderick's partner, Mr Takishita, including the one which the book chronicles.

I'd highly recommend pairing the two for a read of this account, since the small b&w photos allowed here don't really do any justice to the subject.
John Roderick's "Minka" might even be so narrow as to deter the general reader; other than the descriptions of the massive beams and the struggle to translate Japanese cultural habits, the story doesn't quite come to life until you've seen the color photo book, which is from Kodansha International press.

With both at hand, it quickly becomes apparent that this tradition of building is a very early pairing of technology & aesthetics coming to terms, balancing at the level of practicality, indelibly Japanese in character. And beautiful, in ancient and austere wabi-sabi terms, which extoll the singular, the non-reproduceable quality of "the bloom of time".

[Keith W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although the second part was less interesting to me than the first. It is the story of how AP journalist John Roderick, who once lived with and reported on the Chinese Communists when they lived in caves in Yenan province before and during the Second World War, came to acquire a Japanese farmhouse over 200 years old that was threatened with destruction by the building of a dam. With the help of a Japanese family with whom he was very close, Roderick had the structure disassembled and moved 400 miles to Kamakura on the coast near Tokyo, where it was carefully restored to its former grandeur. There were various challenges along the way but Roderick and the Takeshita family overcame them, sometimes helped along by luck, to achieve their goal. That well-told story occupies the first part of the book.

The second part deals with things that happened when Roderick and the Takeshita's adult son Yochan were living in the house. This part was less interesting to me, in part I suppose because, unlike the first part, it was less of a unified story. Nevertheless, there were some interesting bits in the second part as Yochan's fame as an architect with great skill in deconstructing and reconstructing the farmhouses known as minkas spread throughout Japan and the world. Of particular interest to me were the stories of the rural carpenters who followed Yochan to Hawaii and Argentina to put up minkas in places that were very foreign to them and the ways in which their tastes and preferences were accommodated.

In many ways, this book is about love -- John Roderick's love of Yochan and his parents, love of Japan and the Japanese people, and love of the storied old farmhouse he once regretted receiving, even though it was a gift. This aspect of the book is one reason why I found it so heartwarming and I hope you do too.

[Sid Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read! The first half of the book was fascinating. Getting to know the wondrous world of the Minkas and the painstaking effort that it took to build John's Minka provided great enjoyment. John's style of writing was easy yet filled with detail that almost transported me to the construction site. The second half of the book though starts to deviate away from the main character and spreads itself too thin. It's a good book if architecture interests you. It's a very good book if you dream of buying and building your dream house.

[Igbal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, if you are interested about Japan culture, architecture and the life of a western journalist in the land of Samurai. However, I was anticipating more on Japanese architecture, woodworkers' life, anthropological descriptions of Minka with emphasis on restoration particularly rather than having the Japanese life and woodwork culture being in the obscuration of the author's biography.

[RustyShack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been content with the first section, and given it five stars.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racist drivel. Skip.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Roderick writes: "The consequences of what one does are seldom anticipated." I happened upon Minka while collecting books for a local book sale. It was right on top of a box of books I'd been tasked to store away in a temporary warehouse. Having once lived in Japan and having visited some of the old farmhouses of Gifu Prefecture during a visit in 2013, I was immediately captivated by the book's cover and title. As a journalist, I was intrigued by Roderick's impressive career with AP and found his writing style very appealing. I devoured the book, finding inspiration with every chapter.

Roderick had no idea expressing his desire to own a home over breakfast with his young roommate would forever alter the course of their lives. Minka is a story about adapting to life's challenges, following your heart and the power of friendships. None of us can ever imagine the full consequences of our actions; the best we can do is grab hold of the wheel and enjoy the ride.

[Pamela Okano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir by an AP East Asia correspondent about acquiring, renovating, and living in a centuries' old Japanese farmhouse (minka) that had to be moved from its original location. The acquisition never would have happened but for his close relationship with a Japanese family, including their young adult son, whom the author eventually adopted to avoid Japanese estate/inheritance taxes (yes, this is done in the US as well). The book has plenty of photos, but they're of snapshot quality and small, so it's difficult to see the detail in them. Of particular interest because books don't often dwell on it is the author's descriptions of dishonest or troublesome real estate agents, neighbors, household help. Nonetheless, the author's love of Japan and the Japanese people shines from this quick-read volume.

[Suzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the photos in this book - society was changing from the feudal era towards the Japan we know today - when gentlemen still wore hats, and ladies, kimono. The author is a reflective and knowledgeable man, taking the reader on a gentle ride through recent Chinese and Japanese history - he lived as a journalist with Mao Tse Tung in his cave village at the beginning of his ascendency - interweaving his own journey toward loving Japan, its people and traditions. If you are interested in Japan, Asian history and politics, architecture, traditional lifestyles, craftsmanship or journalism this easy-to-read book is sure to keep you reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An affectionate account of a gaijin (foreigner) who literally found and built a home in Japan, with the love, insistence and assistance of his "adopted" Japanese family.

It is a rather light, fast read. I was expecting something more technical (in terms of architecture), thus I was quite disappointed in a sense.

However, this is still a good read that focuses on the author's personal cross-cultural insights involving Japan, its people, culture and customs.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love japanese folk art, dammit, and I don't care what anyone says.
This was a melancholy memoir by someone who was probably more interesting
in real life then he was in this book. The Minka (Japanese farmhouses) are an architectural phenomenon that would be interesting to read about on any level.
Though I learned much about the great minka beasts, I was glad when I was done.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book. It sent me off looking for pictures of the other Minkas that are described. This was quite a project and a great look at doing things in Japan. Found excellent pictures in a book by John Roderick's adopted son, Yoshihiro Takashita, Japanese Country Style. Also shows pictures of other minka's that Yochan worked on.

[Rajiv Ashrafi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that explores the author's life in Japan and beyond. Roderick also writes uncompromisingly about Japanese culture, landscape, people, and history. Some of the experiences weren't very good, but most of it was great. My love and respect for Japan and its people have increased after finishing this good read.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast, enjoyable read for anyone interested in Japanese culture. I expected it to be similar to Michael Pollan's "A Place of My Own", but it was just as much about Japanese-American relations as it was about the farmhouse.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked his book. An easy and fast read. Here we are 15 yrs after the surrender and, through the actions of an ex-Imperial officer's son befriending an American journalist, decaying farm houses are saved, people overcome prejudice, and the world is a better place.

[Tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I can't fault the title. If you are looking for detailed information on this kind of Japanese house or you like architecture, great. Otherwise...information overload. I guess I figured it would be more emphasis on the people and less on the details of the construction.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this interesting. It's about the author buying a traditional Japanese dwellng, very old, having it moved and renovated. A friend helps him with all this including decorating etc. I'm not describing it well, there's a lot more to it.

[Jen Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just got this book for Matt's birthday on a friend's suggestion. Great premise, wish it had more pictures!

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in June 2014. This was on my to-read list for the past two years, after seeing the short documentary Minka. It's well worth the read--about an American AP reporter's 300-year-old home in Japan.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story of the author's relationship with his "adopted" Japanese family, and the 200+-year-old farmhouse they reconstructed for him.

[Machiko · Rating 3 out of 5]

File this book under the: Memoirs of people from USA that live and move and work somewhere else, Category.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

More an autobiography of the author than information about minka or Japan, which is what I was hoping for. Not much focus on the house or the restoration. I was disappointed.