Kawai Kanjiro's workplace

Today a museum, the house and workplace of late Japanese ceramist Kawai Kanjiro is a must-see for any architect visiting Kyoto. As a regular visitor, I have come to take special notice of Kanjiro's workplace, which is set into a raised part of the floor, thus creating calm surroundings for the work. The work seems to be floating in space, celebrated by the surrounding floor. And—somewhat surprisingly at first—Kanjiro has his back turned against the shoji screens, which opens onto his lovely garden. Why would he not face the garden? Because the light falls on the ceramic work on his turntable, and by having his back turned against the light, he has the best view of the work.