William Merrell Vories – A 50th Anniversary Memorial Tour in Ōmi Hachiman

William Merrell Vories was a brilliant and prolific architect who was active throughout the Kansai region in the early 20th century. He is said to have built up to 1600 buildings over a 35 year career, all while leading an active life as an educator, entrepreneur and Christian missionary. Many of the buildings he designed are still standing today, including quite a few in Kyoto. This month, the city of Ōmi Hachiman in Shiga, where Vories made his home, is commemorating the 50th anniversary of his passing with a series of special events. Last Saturday, Mewby and I visited Ōmi Hachiman to take a tour of some of the beautiful buildings that Vories built there. Until November 3rd, you can get a special “passport” for 1,500 yen that will give you access to all of the buildings on the tour, many of which are also exhibiting material related to his life. Passports and maps are both available at the tourist information center at Ōmi Hachiman station. You can also download the map as a PDF here: 市内マップ＆展示案内. Even if you can’t go before November 3rd, you can still visit or view many of the buildings on the tour after the special exhibition is over, but I would give yourself a good day to walk around all the sites. I really enjoyed visiting this town and would very much like to learn more about this extraordinary man.

Here are some pictures from our day.

Ikeda Machi Jūtakugai (池田町住宅街), the Western residential area of Ikeda town, is a cluster of homes designed by Vories very early in his career. He had a house here himself, but that has long gone and can be seen only in old photographs. Three fine buildings do still remain though.

The picture above is a garden view of the Yoshida Residence (吉田邸) built in 1913.

The building above stands at the rear of the house. You will notice that it is raised and the entrance is on the second floor. This is due to the heavy snowfall Shiga experiences in winter.

The entrance to the Yoshida residence. We actually met a descendant of the original owners, sweeping leaves in the garden.

Yoshida residence side view.

The Waterhouse Residence 1913.

Waterhouse Residence Interior

Double House 1920.

白雲館　- Haku-un-kan – White Cloud House. This Meiji era building actually predates Vories having being built in 1877 as a schoolhouse.

The entrance of Hakuunkan. The building is now used as a tourist information center but for the 50th anniversary held an exhibition of Vories related material.

A view from Hakuunkan of the entrance to Himure Hachimangu Shrine which I shall have to go back and visit some day.

The Vories Memorial House (ヴォーリズ記念館) built in 1931, was Vories’ own house and now serves as a museum dedicated to his memory.

Hyde Memorial Hall & Educational Assembly Hall (ハイド記念館・教育記念館) built in 1931.

Vories architectural exhibition in the assembly hall. Behind us a rather serene looking lady was playing the very organ that Vories once played.

Architectural plans for the Tohkasaikan (東華菜館). Built in 1926 it still stands by Shijo Bridge in Kyoto today.

Tohkasaikan display. What is striking about Vories’ designs is that no two are alike. Every act of creation was a fresh start, a completely original design with the special needs of the client in mind.

The Old Post Office (旧八幡郵便局) built in 1921.

The Old Post Office.

The Old Post Office entrance.

Originally built for the YMCA, Andrew’s Memorial House, was completed in February 1907. This was Vories’ maiden work.

Andrews Memorial House and Ōmi Hachiman Church.

Vories built Ōmi Hachiman Church in September 1907.

The minister’s house built in 1940.

A parting view.

William Merrell Vories and his wife Makiko Hitotsuyanagi. They were together for almost 50 years and certainly seem like a happy and affectionate couple.