What would a redneck Harajuku Girl look like? Because I'm going to be one soon.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer so far.  Apparently it's already July which is basically August which is pre-Fall and being in Fall right now is blowing my mind.  

Might as well put up my Christmas tree.

What else is blowing my mind lately is this great collection of mid-century photography of rural homes in Japan by Yukio Futagawa.

What, what, in the hut.  (Sorry, I know it's not a hut but I was incredibly amused by the rhyme.  I'll do better.)  

I read that Futagawa is considered the Walker Evans of Japanese architecture which was the only sentence I needed to read about him.  I practically took a running leap down that rabbit hole like one of the Supernatural boys was waiting on me at the bottom with a plate of sushi and some ice cream. 

Is there such a thing as Southern Gothic in Japan?  Because I think I'd like to write a saucy dissertation about it.

After I finish this plate of fictional sushi that Dean Winchester is feeding me...

Although he photographed his entire life, Futagawa's most famous photographs of rural homes was published in a set of ten books, this cover being one of them.  He traveled to many cities mapping each one and documenting the architecturally things.

He mostly documented "minka" which were the vernacular houses originally intended for farmers, merchants and working class.  I'd never known the name for these types of structures and I find the word 'minka' to be fascinating and have been repeating it over and over under my breath like that kid Brick from The Middle. 

*miiiinkaaaa...*

Futagawa explained, "Instead of artificial components, minka are made from soil, wood and straw.  The elements are mixed up in such a way that they create different patterns.  The people who live there actually create the houses.  So everything comes natural, nothing is strained." 

Awww you really get me, Yukio. 

I want to name a kid* Minka because it sounds like a valley girl name but when people ask about it I'll scream "Noit'sJapanesevernaculararchitectureyouignorantBITCH!" and then I'll take Minka and her brother Quinoa's hand and we'll sashay our yoga butts right on out of there.

*pet

*miiiinkaaaa...*

I think part of the reason I'm grooving so hard on the minka is that most of this summer has been filled with home stuff.  Not the wood and straw kind of home stuff (ok some mud, I've been in the yard a lot) but the boring yet complicated bureaucracy of owning a home.  The American way.  

I refinanced the ModSauce Ranch which sounds like the most adult thing I've ever done.  It's even more adult than buying the house in the first place and having to talk to my doctor about joint pain and when to start scheduling mammograms.

Because I'm special (my loan was owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac), I was able to use the HARP - the Home Affordable Refinance Program.  Thanks Obama.  Actually, if I'm going to fake thank a person let's thank Elizabeth Warren.  People on Twitter have heard me talk plenty but if you haven't, check your eligibility NOW because I just got a 2.99% rate and moved to a 15 year loan and am still paying LESS a month that I was.  The notary at my closing high-fived me because that might be the lowest mortgage in recorded human history and also I got a lollipop.

Of course, that sounds fantastic but it was weeks of phone calls and bullshit and me asking what exactly truth in lending means to them because the bank messed up a bunch of papers even after I pointed out their mistakes and I actually had to close twice.  Fucking Mercury in retrograde, y'all.  

Also, fucking banks.

So yeah, I'd like to get all 'Pattern Language' up in the Ranch but it's mostly been remembering how to sign my legal name in cursive, ant invasions, broken washing machines and mildewed laundry, flash flooding, figuring out a new budget spreadsheet that I actually have to stick too, cable companies drilling holes in my wood paneling where none need to be, a renewed and dangerous Starbucks addiction to deal with the stress, and also I need a pedicure so bad I've had a few people look frightened upon sight of me in sandals.

*miiiinkaaaa...*

This is like vintage porn to me.  It's the architectural equivalent of old Bettie Page photos.

Make what you will of that.

The only thing better than mid-century photography is the actual published page of the image like these scans are.  It's so grainy and kinda yellow.  Wouldn't you die to own an original set of these books?  

I'm going to check for them on ebay right fucking now...!!

This courtyard, y'all. 

Literally stared at the walkway on the left of this image for five minutes straight.  Wish my summer was filled with nothing but the magic of those stepping stones.

But also the 2.99% interest rate part too.  High five!

All pictures above (and more) from here

Now I have an urge to watch a ton of Kurasawa movies and then cry about my mildewed laundry.

Unfortunately, Futagawa - the handsome devil pictured above - passed away this March from cancer.  Read the Architectural Record obit here.

It's rumored that if you whisper miiiinkaaaa... three times in a bathroom mirror that you'll wake up in Japan and be BFF with that girl from The Grudge. 

Next time y'all read a post of mine I might have a new creepy ass bestie, y'all.