[Plate 31.] SECTION OF DOZO
Plate 32. A MODEL SHOWING THE CONSTRUCTION OF DOZO
Our houses are peculiar in many respects when compared to the Western houses as the result of difference in customs, yet there are many things in common to both if names were changed. But the most singular feature is a “Dozō” (a treasure house of a half fire-resistance construction) whose necessity is never felt in any foreign house. In all civilized countries valuable articles can be insured for the fear of fire. The system is also provided in this country; then why the necessity of a “Dozo”? The Japanese as a nation who observe the reverence of ancestors to the utmost as stated before, the treasures collected by ancestors are carefully kept by their posterity; these may be cloths, objects of fine arts, household utensiles, gold and silver ware, no matter what these are the owner would not give away for any price if the family is in high standing in society. And moreover the custom of avoiding to display these things necessitates a place in which these valuables may be kept. The number of “Dozo” is the pride of a family; thus the “Dozo” is the outcome of the custom of Japan. The construction of it is shown in the [plates]. Wood and earth are the chief materials for construction. The thickness of earth put on the wall is nine or ten inches suspended by the lattice work of bamboo of small diameter, say half an inch, tied together in place with the rope made of fibres of the palm tree. The work is exceedingly tedious, for one coat of earth is to be done after another had been dried. Lastly the black or white coating of plaster which is made of mixture of lime paste, (generally the mixture of lime and calcined oyster shells) fibres of hemp, boiled sea weeds, and the pulp of Japanese paper is put on as the finish. If one cannot content or feel safe without a “Dozo” or big earthen safe I have no strong reason to object to the use of it. But constant attention to the new materials which are making appearance from time to time in the market is necessary though the new materials and appliances cannot always be said to be exclusively good. And I believe there may be a variety of designs to make it look better to assume an aspect of monumental character.
There is no house in the world in which more mechanical energy has been utilized in the house building than the American house. Considering a house as a commodity there is no other way of producing it economically than to use mechanic power. The Americans have broadest view, wisest choice, and most practical ideas in this respect. They will understand the subject and manage it with wonderful skill while we are discussing on the definition of fine arts and commenting on the subject of nationalism. Architects and house owners need to consider why, taking our standard of living into consideration, our houses cost so much more than those of America. What cost seventy five dollars a “tsubo” (a “tsubo” is six feet square which is a unit of measuring the buildings and grounds) in the United States will cost more than one hundred and fifty yen (one yen is about fifty cents of U.S. money) in this country. If its cause be attributed to the lack of mechanical appliances to the production of the building materials, why cannot we use machinery in order to get better houses at lower cost? We could not do it at present; the reason is manifold and very complicated, but in a word the labor saving machine is not labor saving, labor is still cheaper than machinery. Why then do the things made by hands which are cheaper than machinery cost more than the things made by machine? This is a most important question to be solved by present Japanese architects and is one after which they are striving. According to my own view, the love of nature, admiration of simplicity and irregularity which are so much a part of the national taste or character are the greatest barriers to the way of progress of our domestic architecture, if the mechanical appliances to house building is called a progress. Most economical questions concerning houses depend on this and decide the future development of our houses. And our endeavor as architects is to so guide the people that they may not deviate from sound common sense on dwelling houses.
