The Story Behind the Name “OMOYA” — The Heart of a Traditional Japanese Home

The name “OMOYA” comes from the Japanese word omoya (母屋).

For many people, this may be an unfamiliar word today.

It is not commonly used in modern daily conversation.
Traditionally, however, an omoya referred to the main house of a traditional Japanese home—the central building where the family lived and gathered. It was the heart of the household, distinct from other structures such as storehouses, barns, or detached buildings.Written in Japanese, the word uses the characters 母屋, which literally mean “mother” and “house.”
This made me wonder:
Why “mother,” and not “father”?

As I reflected on this, I realized that there is something shared by all people—regardless of gender, nationality, or background. Every human being begins life in the same place:
inside the mother’s womb.
The womb is perhaps the most peaceful and protected place we ever experience. So I began to imagine that long ago, people may have wished for the family home to feel the same way—a place of safety, warmth, and deep comfort. Perhaps that is why the character for “mother” was chosen for the word omoya. With that feeling in mind, I hope this place can become a space where visitors can relax completely—
a place where you might naturally feel like saying,
“I’m home.”

The living room of OMOYA Soryo, with its high open ceiling, was designed with this image in mind.The pillars, beams, and structural timbers—some more than 300 years old—support the space like a quiet, protective body. 

At the center hangs a light installation called “nahwa,” designed by the late international environmental artist Mariyo Yagi. Inspired by the form of rope, the piece reflects her philosophy known as “Nawalogy,” the idea that all things in the universe move in spiral forms. The light gently hangs at the center of the space, almost like an umbilical cord connecting mother and child. When you rest here, it may feel as if you are reconnecting with something deep within yourself—perhaps memories from before birth, or even something further back, within the long chain of life and ancestry.

Another distinctive feature is the cross-shaped window. Its design was inspired by the home of the Mexican architect Luis Barragán. When opened fully, the window connects the interior space with the world outside—like a symbolic opening toward the wider world. This is a place to pause, regain quiet strength, and take the next step forward. Almost as if being born into the world once again. 

Because we hope people from around the world will visit, the name “OMOYA” is written in Roman letters. 

We also added the name “Soryo,” the name of this place. This house is where my father was born and raised, and it represents the roots of my own family.Including the name “Soryo” is also a small expression of gratitude to the people of this community who have cared for this land for generations. We hope that people around the world will come to know the name Soryo, and that local residents will feel welcome to return here anytime—like coming back to a second home.

With these thoughts in mind, this place was named OMOYA Soryo.