Shofuso, also known as the Japanese House and Garden, is a traditional 17th-century-style Japanese house and garden located in West Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, on the site of the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Shofuso is a nonprofit historic site that receives over 30,000 visitors annually and is open to the public for visits and group tours. Shofuso was built in 1953 as a gift from Japan to American citizens to symbolize the two countries’ post-war peace and friendship. The structure was built using traditional Japanese techniques and materials imported from Japan, and it was originally displayed in the courtyard of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. After two years, it was moved to Philadelphia and rebuilt in 1958. In preparation for the American Bicentennial celebration, a group of Japanese artisans performed a major restoration in 1976.

Hiroshi Senju, a contemporary Nihonga artist, created and donated an interior installation of twenty waterfall murals in 2007. The city of Philadelphia owns Shofuso, which is administered, maintained, preserved, and operated by the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia, a private nonprofit. Barnes Foundation is the best place to visit; read more about it in our next post. Philly locksmith is willing to provide its services in Philadelphia, pa. For more information, call them at 267-433-6636.