"Moritosha", an inn reminiscent of a Mingei (Folk Craft) museum in a 550-year-old Zentokuji Temple in Toyama Prefecture. Opening in March 2024

2024.03.18 11:15

Mizu to Takumi Co., Ltd.

Mizu to Takumi Co., Ltd. has announced the grand opening on March 15, 2024 (Friday) of a cultural complex that includes a café and shop in addition to

the Zentokuji Moritosha, an inn that opened on the premises of the Zentokuji Temple, a 550-year-old central temple of the Jodo Shinshu faith in

the Hokuriku region. ( https://www.moritosha.jp )

Guest room (triple)

Soetsu Yanagi, the founder of Mingei(Folk Crafts), called the spiritual climate nurtured by the nature of the Tonami region in western Toyama prefecture

"Do-Toku(virtue of the earth)," and found the manifestation of Folk Crafts

philosophy in the life of the land filled with Dotoku. He stayed at Zentokuji

Temple for 62 days and wrote his thesis "Bi-no-Houmon" (The gate to the Beauty), which was a compilation of his Mingei philosophy.

Mingei philosophy is now being revisited in the midst of a major shift in values toward coexistence with nature and the realization of a sustainable world. What Mingei and Dotoku have in common is a way of "living a beautiful life created by nature and people. Moritosha was renovated from a training hall in Zentokuji Temple, designed by Keiichi Yasukawa, Yanagi's favorite disciple, to house a hotel, an auditorium, a café and shop, and a teleworking space. The space is furnished with Mingei objects like a museum, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of Mingei from both the building and its furnishings. In addition to accommodations, lectures and activities are held to experience the local folk crafts. Through the experience of staying and interacting with the local people, we aim to provide a place where people can get hints for a beautiful lifestyle in the future.

The opening will be accompanied by a café where visitors can enjoy local cuisine served on folk art vessels, and a shop where they can purchase authentic Mingei vessels, including works by Shoji Hamada and Keiichi Yasukawa, pottery and lacquer ware from various regions. Please feel free to drop by for tea

and shopping.

Guest room (twin)

Inside Moritosha like a Mingei Museum

Experience Mingei through the five senses: the building, the furnishings, and

the food.

The second floor of the Moritosha is a hotel with a total of six rooms that can accommodate long-term stays. There is one triple room with a full hinoki bath and five twin rooms, all with different layouts. The first floor is a café, shop,

auditorium, and telework space (at Zentokuji Shoin) that can be used by

anyone, even those not staying at the hotel. At the café, guests can enjoy a menu featuring local ingredients served in Mingei vessels.

Breakfast

The shop features works by Mingei masters such as Shoji Hamada, Keisuke

Serizawa, and Keiichi Yasukawa, as well as dishes from folk crafts production throughout Japan and local products selected by Moritosha. The guestrooms and the interior of the hotel are decorated with various Mingei works from all over the world, making it a "Mingei museum where you can stay overnight".

Some of the exhibits are also available for purchase, making the entire

building a place where you can encounter things that enrich your life.

The renovation was designed by Akinori Hamada, an architect from Toyama

and a partner of teamLab Architects.

Mingei Shop 2

Activities to Touch the Dotoku

Moritosha offers a variety of programs and tours that allow visitors to experience the Dotoku. Local people such as monks from Zentokuji Temple, local

women who pass on fermented foods and other local cuisine (such as

"saba-zushi," a specialty made in Zentokuji Temple), craftspeople and artisans in traditional industries, and farmers engaged in organic farming will also

serve as lecturers to interact with people from Japan and abroad. The

program is not limited to Zentokuji Temple, but also includes visits to artisans' workshops and agricultural, forestry, and fishery producers to deepen

experiential learning in the local community.

Facility Overview

Facility name: Zentokuji Moritosha

Opening Date ： March 15, 2024

Location ： Within Zentokuji Temple, 405 Nishigami, Johana, Nanto City,

Toyama

Number of guest rooms: 6 in total (maximum capacity of 13 people)

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Cafe, gallery/shop, auditorium

Planning/Production ： Toyama West Tourism Promotion Association

Cooperation: Johana Betsuin Zentokuji Temple, Johana Area Revitalization

Council

Operation ： Mizu to Takumi Co.Ltd