My #Japan #Tokyo Travel (Part 16) #Kyu-Iwasaki-tei #Gardens
Walk into a Gardens where the site of their Edo, clan (Antiquity known as Peerage) residence and continued to Meiji and Taisho eras. Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens was built in 1896 as the main residence of Iwasaki Hisaya, the 3rd President of Mitsubishi and the eldest son of Iwasaki Yataro, the founder of the group. At the end of World War II, the Iwasaki home and grounds became the property of the Japanese government and were used for the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court.
Over the years, they were more than 20 buildings were arranged in the premises of 15000 tsubo located in Taito, Tokyo. At present, the site has been reduced as 3 buildings with namely of the Western – style Residence, Japanese – style building and Billiard room residence. NOTE: THERE ARE CERTAIN PLACES NOT ALLOWED TAKING PHOTO.
Western Residence
The Japanese-style building, design was based on the classic “Shoin” style.
Billiard room, this was designed to be reminiscent of a Swiss mountain chalet.
The gardens, can feel the Edo Period.
First we walk and visit the Western Residence was completed in 1896 by the design of Josiah Condor. This style is based on the Jacobean style of England in the 17th century, which incorporates Islamic motifs of the Renaissance. The design is representative of the type of architecture that was used for the residences of upper class families. This is regarded as a rare architecture in the world history of residences with its ingenious balance with the annexed Japanese building. Those days, this building was used once mainly for annual gatherings of the Iwasaki family and for entertaining foreign guests.
On the way, we are walk in The Japanese-style building was integrated with the Western-style building and the design was based on the classic “Shoin” style. At the time, the building was completed with a floor space of 550 tsubo and far bigger scale than Western – style building. The master Japanese carpenter for the building construction, was Okawa Kijyuro who had engaged in building of many residences for magnates of political and business circles. These remain Japanese paintings in alcove and on the paper slides, of which sketches are believed to have been done by Hashimoto Gaho.
Selfie again
Some part of Western Residence
After that, we are walk to visit the Billiard room which is separated from the main residence and also designed by Josiah Condor. Unlike the Jacobean-style western building, this was designed to be reminiscent of a Swiss mountain chalet, which was very rare in Japan those days.
Of cause, walk in the gardens, we can feel the Edo Period atmosphere with stone monuments, stone-made hand-washing basin and garden stones which is In front of Japan-style building, a large tree of Japanese evergreen (Ternstroemia gymnanthera) and etc. Like the buildings, the western and Japanese styles are laid together, retaining early form of a modern garden with “lawn”.
Even Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens are valuable properties that have combining history, culture, nature and survived disasters such as Earthquake, war damage, as well as progressing urbanization so the garden were designated as nationally important cultural property. Ticket price: 400 Yen, Open from 9a.m – 5p.m (Last entry: 4.30 p.m)
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