Kentaro Imai Architectural office
GOSHIKI-YU
The name “Goshikiyu” resonates with an impressive ring, carrying with it a history and auspicious meaning dating back to the Edo period. During this era, the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (Wu Xing) was deeply ingrained in people’s daily lives, and it is said that the Edo Goshiki Fudo (Five-Colored Fudo) statues were placed based on this theory. These statues were positioned in key directions within the city, each corresponding to one of the five elemental colors (white, black, blue, red, yellow) and representing a guardian deity (Fudo Myo-o). The Mejiro Fudo, corresponding to “white,” was enshrined in the nearby Kongo-ji Temple, functioning as the guardian deity of the land. Thus, Goshikiyu inherits the memory and history of the region within its very name.
With this historical context in mind, the design concept for the renovation of Goshikiyu has been defined as “Sento as a Healing Space.” This concept draws inspiration from the health benefits and protective powers (such as warding off disease) traditionally attributed to Kongo-ji Temple. In the Edo period, healing baths (Toji) were special places for the treatment of illness and the maintenance of health. We believe that this spirit remains unchanged even in modern times. Therefore, Goshikiyu has been designed as a place where one can temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the city and rejuvenate both mind and body. For busy urban dwellers, the presence of a “healing space for the mind and body” is essential in daily life, and we believe this is a new role that modern urban Sento should fulfill.
From this perspective, Goshikiyu has been designed to offer the calmness and special ambiance of a traditional healing bath, while also seamlessly blending into the everyday life of the city. The interior space emphasizes the warmth and solidity often seen in traditional Japanese houses by using as much natural wood as possible. New materials such as tiles, wood, and rush grass have been combined with some of the retro-style interior elements from the original store, creating a harmonious space that evokes the comfort of being in a traditional house. Additionally, the lighting and color scheme are based on the balance of colors from the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory, aiming to create a space where one can feel the energy of the Five Elements while also experiencing comfort.
Through this renovation, Goshikiyu has been transformed into a space that fulfills the role of a “healing sanctuary for the mind and body” for modern urban dwellers. We hope that this place, while inheriting its historically significant name, will continue to be loved by the community as a new space that supports the health and happiness of the people living today.
