Many more images today! The work on the Kyakuden is making rapid progress - by now, the roof is practically fully covered with tiles, and work has started on the bamboo framework for the clay walls. Bamboo is one of the most crucial components of minka houses, supposedly granting the building its flexibility and good ventilation.

   To construct the wall, workers first render the wall’s material, called heshitaji, made by the way of komai-gaki with clay that susa is kneaded into. Susa is the finely shredded straw of old Tatamis, or igusu reeds. By adding susa, the clay becomes stickier, which prevents the wall from cracking. The wall is built up from a number of different layers, with smooth plastering inside and rougher material applied to the outside of the walls.

   The material for the Kyakuden's walls has been prepared in advance; however we will have to see how far works can proceed until the end of next week. As the clay has been mixed inside a hole in the field, and the temperatures are dropping below zero most nights by now, this part of the work may have to wait until spring if the ground freezes solid. But we'll wait and see.

All photographs courtesy of and © by Andreas Raab.

*! Please see this link for the next update on the Kyakuden's re-construction:

http://www.facesofdesign.com/blog/reconstructing-kyakuden-december-8th