The Old House & the New Bride

In the year 1912, a British Merchant named James Yama embarked upon a project to build some large European styled residences on a hill on the western extreme of Kobe. The hill became known as Yama hill (although it is actually called 'the James Yama hill). Rich foreign merchants who wanted properties in the area bought them up as soon as they came onto the market. One such home, designed by Alexander Nelson Hansell, appealed to a German merchant. He bought the house for his family which was situated at the bottom of the hill right next to Shioya train station. It was a beautiful house that looked out over the western edge of Osaka bay, far from the busy ports. He named the house after his family name and it became known as Guggenheim House. 

In the 1950's this house became the Shioya country club where foreign families would enjoy community gatherings and parties. They would play tennis and swim in the large pool during those wonderfully hot summers. As times changed and those merchant families and occupying family's left Japanese soil, the house almost fell into decay until it was bought by Durt Morimoto Yasuyo, who is a local artist specializing with stained glass. He has renovated the old house and restored to its former glory. It has, in the last few years been opened to the public and is now the venue for many small live events such as exhibitions, live music, film showings and poetry readings. 

There is a blog (Japanese only) advertising future events here. 

 It is a very beautiful house and a wonderful setting for a shoot. Hitomi noticed the house when she covered an event there last May when we were all down in Kobe on our mini break. Hitomi hired the hall last week for Saturday morning. Our semi resident photographer Miho and her crew went with Hitomi very early on a bright but unusually cold Saturday morning to shoot Hitomi (not in the sense of my last story post). One of the three shoots Hitomi did in the house was in Bridal wear and I must say she looked very beautiful indeed. Just because of her I've put up one new album - please do click on my page and view 'Hitomi my bride'. I think she looks the best I've ever seen her.

I think every girl wants to be a beautiful bride. My turn next!