The reason I created this page dedicated to William Merrell Vories’ architecture in Shiga.／VORIES Architecture in Shiga／ヴォーリズ建築を紹介するWEBサイト

The reason I created this page dedicated to William Merrell Vories’ architecture in Shiga.

ウィリアム・メレル・ヴォーリズが活動の拠点とした滋賀県近江八幡市はこのWEBサイトの企画者の出身地であり、そのヴォーリズ建築の代表格といえる関西学院大学上ヶ原キャンパスで大学時代を過ごしたことにご縁を感じていました。

ある時インターネットで滋賀県のヴォーリズ建築を検索すると、まとまって閲覧できるサイトが見当たらず、一つひとつ調べる必要がありました。

それなら、地域の魅力を伝えたい気持ちもあり、まちづくり事業にも携わった経験もありましたので、ご縁のあるヴォーリズ建築をまとめようと思い立ち、作成したのがこのサイトです。

滋賀県内には数多くのヴォーリズ建築が現存しています。保全活動が行われ、観光・商業利用もされています。滋賀県のヴォーリズ建築を知っていただき、そして訪れていただければ幸いです。

I always felt a strong connection with William Merrell Vories’ architecture. I grew up in Omihachiman city, Shiga prefecture where Mr. Vories lived and created his architectural work.

However, this is not the only reason I feel a special connection to him. My university’s buildings, Kwansei Gakuin University, were built by Mr.Vories and are said to be one of the greatest examples of his work in Japan. I spent my youth in these great buildings, so it was natural for me to come to try to understand his architecture and grow attached to it.

One day I was searching for his work in Shiga prefecture out of curiosity, but found that there were no websites which collated all of his works on one page. So, I had to search and find each building one by one.

Then I decided I wanted to spread the connection I have with his architecture by creating a website which introduces all of the architectural buildings he created over his lifetime. I have participated in the community development project so I hope I can voice the amazing beauty of my hometown and its shared history with Mr. Vories’ great heritage.

In Shiga prefecture many of the buildings created by Mr. Vories still exist.

Those buildings have been protected and have been thoroughly conserved and have been used for tourism and commercial purposes as well. I wish that more people could know and learn about Mr. Vories’ architecture in Shiga prefecture through my website and hopefully visit and enjoy these wonderful spaces.

Profile:William Merrell Vories

ウィリアム・メレル・ヴォーリズは宗教家、建築家、社会実業家、音学家など多彩な功績を残しました。1880年アメリカのカンザス州レブンワースで生まれ、学生時代にキリスト教宣教を目的に英語教師として現在の滋賀県立八幡商業高等学校に赴任。その後、教え子など多くの仲間を巻き込みながら、建築、医療、教育、製薬など事業を拡げていきます。1919年に一柳満喜子と結婚し、1941年に日本国籍を取得、1958年には近江八幡名誉市民第1号に推挙。1964年に83歳で永眠。

William Merrell Vories was multi-talented and his many achievements spanned through his roles as a missionary, architect, entrepreneur and musician. He was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, in the United States in 1880. He came to Japan as a Christian missionary and became an English teacher at the current Shiga Prefectural Hachiman Commercial High School.

Later, with the help of his friends and his former students, he began to get involved in business and gradually expanded to the business of architecture, medical care, education
and the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. He was married to Makiko Hitotsuyanagi in 1919 and became a naturalised Japanese citizen in 1941. He was awarded as the first Honorary Citizen of Omihachiman city. He passed away at the age of 83 in 1964.

Planning and managing the Website

北島雅行（関西学院大学社会学部 1997年卒業）
滋賀県近江八幡市出身在住
関西学院同窓会滋賀支部事務局長
KGツーリズム新月会幹事
大手旅行会社勤務後、近江八幡にて地域密着の物品販売業やツーリズム事業に携わる。 2024年6月には関西学院大学建築学部ヴォーリズ研究センターと連携し、近江八幡にて「ヴォーリズ建築ツアー＆講演会」を同窓会滋賀支部主催で実施する。

Masayuki Kitajima（1997 graduate of the School of Sociology, Kwansei Gakuin University) currently resides in Omihachiman city in Shiga Prefecture.
Chief Secretary of the Alumni Association at the Shiga Branch of Kwansei Gakuin University.
Secretary of KG Tourism, Shingetsukai.
After working for a major travel agency, he shifted to work for a local goods,sales and tourism business in Omihachiman city.
In June 2024, in collaboration with the Vories Research Center at the Faculty of Architecture, Kwansei Gakuin University, the Shiga Alumni Association will host the “Vories Architecture Tour & Lecture” in Omihachiman city.

Website Design

古家良和（関西学院大学総合政策学部 2014年卒業）
兵庫県三田市在住
関西学院同窓会三田支部幹事
関西学院大学総合政策学部同窓会
大学卒業後は関西学院大学の大学職員として働き、2016年に独立。デザイン事務所TSUGINIを立ち上げ、関学生と関わりながら、三田市のまちづくりに関わる。
同窓会の縁で滋賀県近江八幡を訪れ、単なる建物以上の「物語」を語りかけてくれるヴォーリズ建築に魅了される。

Yoshikazu Koya (2014 graduate from the School of Policy Studies, Kwansei Gakuin University) currently resides in Sanda city, Hyogo prefecture.
Secretary of the Kwansei Gakuin University Alumni Association at the Sanda branch.
A member of the School of Policy Studies Kwansei Gakuin University Alumni Association.
After graduation, he worked for Kwansei Gakuin University as a university staff member.
He started his own business in 2016, called ‘TSUGINI.’ TSUGINI is a design office which works with members to develop the Sanda community as well as students of Kwansei Gakuin University.
When he had the chance to visit Omihachiman city in Shiga Prefecture and saw William Merrell Vories’s architecture, he was blown away by his works which, more than being just a building, go as far as to tell a “story.”

Translator

平井知子（関西学院大学文学部 1992年卒業）
兵庫県宝塚市在住で、関学の時計台を含む素晴らしいヴォーリズ建築に親しんでき
ました。
KGツーリズム新月会　会員
長年海外で生活し、メディアで働いた経験を活かし、翻訳、通訳、ツアーガイドとして、
日本文化、ニュースやイベントなどを世界に向け発信しています。

Tomoko Hirai (1992 graduate of the Department of Arts and Aesthetics at the School of Humanities, Kwansei Gakuin University) currently resides in Takarazuka City, not far from Vories’ wonderful buildings including the famous clock tower at Kwansei Gakuin University.
A member of KG Tourism, Shingetsukai.
She has lived outside of Japan for many years and has worked in the media. As a professional translator, interpreter, and tour guide, she is dedicated to sharing Japanese culture, news, and events with the world.