Help me save beautiful, old Japanese folk houses!

George Brendecke is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

My name is George Brendecke, a judo-playing, Japanese speaking, mixed race (German, British and Papua New Guinean i.e. – confused), crazy Australian Japanophile and wannabe artist, and I bought a 100-year-old Kominka, a traditional old Japanese folk house!

"See a video of my Kominka below and you'll see why I want to save these beautiful properties!"

I dipped into my meagre life savings (read 'I spent most of it'), and I’ve probably bitten off more than I can chew. I went with my heart and not my head but hey, what can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic!

I’m just starting out on my journey to renovate or restore (finances permitting) this beautiful property and bring it up to a liveable state while maintaining as many of its traditional features as possible, and the cost of doing so will stretch way beyond my resources.

But wait, there’s more! I already know that I won’t stop at just one and I want to secure as many of these wonderful, rapidly disappearing properties as possible, restore them to their former glory, and then find them new owners who wish to treasure them and retain them for posterity. (Did I mention that I was ‘crazy’ a little earlier?)

$$$ DISPOSE OF YOUR LOOSE CHANGE HERE!

Successfully restoring my own property (a bit of a challenge due to some chronic health conditions, but I'm rising to it!) will set the stage for me in securing and restoring other Kominka and ultimately making the preservation of Kominka my full-time job. I might even end up helping you to procure a Kominka of your very own.

So, if you’re passionate about Kominka and saving these beautiful, old, traditional Japanese folk houses or are just enthusiastic about my passion and helping me, then join me on my adventure!

Donate here and follow me as I record my progress while providing adventure and entertainment for you along the way with interesting discoveries, strange happenings, and no doubt hilarious mistakes and accidents.

I'll take you exploring inside these Kominka where perhaps there could be surprising things to be discovered, with many of these properties having been abandoned complete with the previous owner's possessions, so stay with me, who knows what we’ll find?

We'll start with my Kominka which has two traditional ‘Kura’ (Warehouses), one of which hasn’t been opened for decades as the doors are seized shut, and apparently, there are treasures inside.

Come along and let’s find out what they are!

Oh, and this whole journey is also in support of those suffering from debilitating physical and mental health conditions.

As a sufferer of FND or Functional Neurological Disorder, mimicking (in my case) in varying degrees, symptoms of multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and dementia, and as someone who survived attempting suicide and continues to struggle with bipolar disorder, I really do understand how difficult life can be when you have these kinds of additional complications.

But ALL IS NOT LOST and I wish to set an example of how sufferers can work around their health issues, overcome barriers, and be successful!

In my work with Kominka I also hope to eventually incorporate ways in which I can be a bit of a mentor to people in need of a pick-me-up in life and perhaps establish places and activities that will help people to learn to live with their health complications and overcome obstacles and barriers that they may meet.

As yet I have no concrete plans on how these particular aspirations may eventuate however, I do envision holding Japanese art and culture workshops and courses in beautiful Kominka, where people gather for a shared learning experience and create not only art but enduring friendships as well.

I am sure that I will develop a more solid vision along the way while experiencing things during my own journey, listening to stories from others, and gathering suggestions along the way.

Together with your financial support, I welcome your comments offering advice and encouragement so don't hold back!

Thank you and I look forward to our paths crossing in the future - cheers!

George T Brendecke