Ozu, Ehime Pref. – –
Hidden in a quiet and modest area of Ozu, a historic castle city in the prefecture, is an unusual house – with an even more unusual owner. As a former Samurai residence, the building is inspired by an artist who is inspired by the cultural practices of his ancestors who once lived there.
Yushi Dangami, an artist and social entrepreneur based in Ozu and Tokyo, is a descendant of the Kato clan, the Samurai family, which once ruled about this part of Ehime.
In 2018, he used the proceeds from his art to acquire the 180-year-old building, the property of which was no longer in his family when he was alerted by a member of the local community that it was offered for sale.