Mu / Isamu Noguchi

On a rainy day in June I went to see Mu by Isamu Noguchi. It's hiding on the third floor terrace on Keio University's Mita Campus in Tokyo.

Shin Banraisha interior, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan

In 1950 Noguchi was invited to design a space within the Shin Banraisha, ''Building of Welcome," for Keiyo University in Tokyo. Also known as the Noguchi Room, it was a collaborative interior and garden space designed by Isamu Noguchi and architect Yoshirō Taniguchi. It was built between 1951-1952. 

The room serves as a memorial to his father, Yonejiro Noguchi—a poet and professor. A graduate of Keio University's Department of Literature, Yonejiro later returned to teach there for forty years, before his death in 1947

Noguchi creating Mu (1950), which he created two of.

Mu at an exhibition in Japan. 

Source: Arts & Architecture, 1950

The garden at Keio was Noguchi's first garden design.

Photo: Isamu Noguchi by Altshuler, Bruce

It was also the first interior by Noguchi.

It was still looking great in 1961.

Source: Richard Langendorf via MIT

Despite lawsuits and objections by a wide range of groups, the building was demolished in 2003. It was replaced by a much larger building. A replica of the original room incorporating many of the original pieces now sits on the roof of the Law School building at Keio University.

I was able to peep through the window but the room was locked.

However, my friend Dung, who seems to have the keys for all the great spaces around the world, was able to get inside. 

Photo: Dung Ngo

Photo: Dung Ngo

There is Mu again. 

Photo: Dung Ngo

The rainy day view.