To outsiders, Japan is a land of easy contrasts. The kaleidoscopic glare of Tokyo’s Ginza and its bubbling fashion-crazed youth. Elsewhere, hidden forests of moss, water-gardens, temples. Thank you, Instagram. We see tidiness and ritualized politeness. We know nothing.

Location: Kyoto, thousand-year-old ancient capital of Japan. Specifically the Kamishichiken district, site of Kitano Tenmangū, the holiest of the 12,000 shrines in all Japan that was ravaged by fire in 1444 and rebuilt from the ruins into a new cultural seedbed, where the dignified performance arts of Kyoto’s rarefied soul would germinate. Birthplace of the Omotesenke school of tea ceremony. Birthplace of the hanamachi (geisha) traditions of geiko and maiko, of theater, music, honor and grace.

This year, one of the original seven Kamishichiken teahouses—the former Hasegawa Residence that stood nearest to the Kitano Tenmangū shrine—will be offered for sale. Not as a commercial venture, but reimagined as a residence named The Silence, suffused with historic character yet also answering the expectations of how to live today.

The project involves more than transforming the former tea house into a private home. Its purpose stems from something beyond decorative aesthetics. This is a singular talismanic architectural mission that entails, for the exclusively Japanese artisan construction team appointed to undertake it, an enactment of deep cultural homage.

This select team has been brought together through the vision of Mr Kenji Nakamura, CEO of FIDO Inc, the chief developer and project lead. The architectural direction is set by one of Japan’s most globally renowned architects, Kengo Kuma. While producing stellar works internationally, Kuma is resolutely absorbed in shaping the architectural identity of his native land. His philosophy—yes, architects have philosophies, if not they’re just builders with pens—emanates from a conceptual base of lightness, air and balanced weight underpinned by a fabric of natural organic stone, wood, bamboo. His catalogue is stamped with the imprint of Japanese tradition, expressed in new sculptural form. And values that go deeper than quick thinking.

The Silence will breathe its own history. Kengo Kuma’s design preserves the essential elements of the ancient teahouse. Layouts honor the original plan of discrete rooms and spaces, while updating their usability into a main house, a storehouse and an annex with a dedicated tea room and large tatami room. A small army of architectural researchers is currently sourcing historical materials and time-matched artefacts (such as an Izuminokami Kanesada sword from 1868) to be installed as decorative exhibits.

But, critically, it is Kuma’s insistence on artisanal craftsmanship of the most exacting order, using traditional Japanese hand-tools and joinery methods, that will take this project far beyond reproduction into a realm of revitalization (the perfect word), where the lost past is authentically resumed.

The tea-room element will be managed by Nakamura Sotoji Komuten, one of Japan’s highest masters of sukiya-style carpentry. These artisans create traditional tea rooms and interiors from a deep well of inherited family expertise, storing rare woods for generations before use. Like Kengo Kuma, their award-winning work is fortified by a sense of spiritual responsibility to the past.

The main contractor is heritage and Buddhist temple specialist Kongō Gumi. With a documented history going back to AD578, Kongō Gumi can safely claim to be the oldest recorded company anywhere in continued existence.

The fifth notable contributor brings international luxury brand appeal. ARMANI / CASA was established in 2004 under the direct supervision of Giorgio Armani, himself a great admirer of Japanese refinement. The company will add its renowned subtlety to the task of dressing the property.

Finally, but with commanding significance, a new garden will be designed by Katsuaki Ogawa, 12th-generation heir to the legendary Ueji lineage of Japanese gardeners. The meaning of seasons, sounds and tranquility preside. Around a large pond, a series of covered walkways gracefully traverses the water’s surface, as seasonal flora gently emerge. The planting features elegant weeping plum trees, as did the original Kitano Tenmangū shrine in spring.

Dateline: With all plans and permissions in place, work begins on The Silence in Fall 2026. Completion is expected Spring 2028. As a wholly unique opportunity to own a property so inherently redolent of Kyoto’s spiritual and cultural history, significant interest is anticipated across Japan and from global Japanophiles alike.

In conversation with Kengo Kuma

On a private Zoom call with Forbes Global Properties earlier this year, Kengo Kuma revealed what motivates him about the project.

“Kamishichiken is a very special district, and the condition of this historical house is amazing. It’s the first time we’ll be working with Katsuaki Ogawa. That’s exciting, and Nakamura Sotoji are the best house carpenters in Japan. It’ll be a great interlocking team working with the guardians of the house. This project is necessary for Kyoto, and that’s why we want to be part of it.”

When you say necessary… what makes it necessary for Kyoto?

“Kyoto has many tourists, and also people who want to live here. So there are lots of apartment projects. But Kyoto needs to keep the essence of its culture, and that essence exists in small wooden buildings. The Silence for me is a model of how Kyoto could develop in the future.”

Do you think the younger generation of Japan is becoming interested in maintaining these essential cultural aspects of the future?

“I feel the young generations are beginning to find the beauty of that kind of tradition. Maybe they feel separated from nature. These old buildings with beautiful gardens can be a new paradise for them!”

Finally, what lessons does this historic address offer us?

“You know the details of this teahouse and the textures of the materials we’ll be using are so delicate, so diverse. I want to show the multiple faces of the building so people can feel the real Japanese-ness of these natural materials. And intimacy. Intimacy is becoming needed and valued more and more.”

The Silence is represented by TonTon Inc. at ¥6 billion (~US$38 million). TonTon Inc. is a member of Forbes Global Properties, the invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.

© Forbes