The "Old Shirasu Residence, Busoso" (Machida City, Tokyo) is a facility comprising a museum, restaurant, and shop, opening to the public the home where Jiro Shirasu (1902-1985) and Masako Shirasu (1910-1998) lived until their passing. Jiro Shirasu, who contributed significantly to Japan’s post-war reconstruction, moved in 1943 during the Pacific War to a vacant thatched-roof farmhouse built in the late Edo period in Tsurukawa Village (now Machida City, Tokyo). As the area was historically located on the border of Musashi and Sagami provinces, Jiro playfully named the residence "Busoso," a pun on "buzaiso" (meaning "unsociable"). Anticipating that Tokyo would be reduced to ashes by air raids and face food shortages, Jiro and his wife Masako began a life surrounded by cherished items and immersed in farming. They modernized the house, planted flowers and trees on the grounds, with Jiro crafting daily necessities and furniture, while Masako incorporated her beloved antiques into furnishings and tableware. At the "Old Shirasu Residence, Busoso," visitors can experience the rich moments the couple spent, their treasured possessions, and the seasonal landscapes and scenes, beautifully captured in photographs by Yoshiko Asai. Additionally, their eldest daughter, Keiko Makiyama, has written about her parents’ lesser-known anecdotes and memories, offering a glimpse into their enduringly refined lifestyle and way of living.
