Country Gentleman

A man who embodied Dandyism who decorates the cover of the magazine even after thirty years after his death, which is described as such “The man who wore jeans for the first time in Japan”, “Japan’s coolest man”, “The only Japanese who is obedient”, “Oily boy”, “Principle guy”, Jiro Shirasu. I went to his and his wife’s house (Buaiso) the other day.

In 1943, the couple moved and lived in “Buaiso”, naming it because of the desire to twist Jiro’s unique in addition to this land in the border of Musashi and Sagami.

After walking down from Tsurukawa station and walking for about 15 minutes, you will see a green covered mountain. “Buaiso” which has come to be ahead of the wide walking path. On the right hand side of the reception building, the Jiro’s favorite agricultural equipment is placed in the barn, the semi-outdoor area like a barn was renovated, it became a cafe, the atmosphere of the British such as a favorite car and a bar was good. In addition, the cafe & restaurant which renewed was also a mixed Western and Japanese atmosphere.

About the main building, the house with a thatched roof Jiro bought from silkworm farmer and refurbished was a very calm. Jiro’s English style interior and furniture, Masako’s kimono and pottery Japanese culture were fused in a very nice manner to the framework of Japanese farmers, and a unique and tasteful space was spreading. I seemed to leave as much as possible at that time, I also felt something like the living warmth that people still live in.

Ms. Jiro, who studied abroad in the UK and studied in Cambridge, is convinced that the British gentleman path is thoroughly knocked in and that he has passed his life is “faithful to the principle”. It seems that Jiro was a person who faithfully believed in the principle and faithfully believed, as Ms. Masako reminisced, “It was truly a principal, a principal, every day was a noisy thing.” Masako is the only person who could be Jiro’s wife. After studying abroad in the United States with Earl’s Daughter, she met Jiro and married. Since she was young, she was deeply aware of Noh, stepped into the world of literature and antique, she runs dyeware craft stores and books, and was a very cultural person. I could also visit the Masako’s study room, enormous amount of books were lined up in the room and knowledge on Japanese culture and history was very high.

Jiro and Masako were people who were very good at balance with the West and Japanese, sumptuousness and savory, upstream and commoners, as a good sense, maybe the reason is still popular now. Speaking of how to balance it, there are reasons even to have a house at a distance from the city center, there is the following description in the book “Jiro and Masako Shirasu, gem words”.

I wonder what you mean in the UK,
There is something called Counttry Gentleman

In Masako’s book “Yuuki” ‘Shirozu Jiro’s thing’, this explanation is written about Country Gentleman. Jiro said, “Even after reaching the age of eighty, I rode the Porsche, so ordinary retirement could not be an exclusive one. Even though I flew in Tsurukawa, although it is due to evacuation, in fact, where British style education comes in, they call such kinds of people “country gentleman.” It is often translated as “country gentleman”, but rather living in rural areas, it is keeping its eyes on central politics. Because I am watching from afar, I can understand that it is not visible to politicians in the whirlpool. And when it is the time I go out to the center and correct their posture.”

I thought it is also practical and fancy thought that having a objective eye with a little distance and going out in case of emergency. I think that it is occasionally thought that people who are born and have a good sense of balance are occasionally, but I think that Jiro and his wife are representative.

Jiro who was a gentleman and also a samurai. Blessed with artistic talent “It was nice to marry a man named Shirozu Jirou”, as Mr. Masako said. Such a “Buaiso” which can catch a glimpse of the wonderful couple’s living life. Why do not you visit once?

Bamboo groves in your garden

Gate

Mail post

Toilet

Terrace at the restaurant