Surely, no ordinary residence is the Hakusa-sonso Garden. It was once the home of Hashimoto Kansetsu. He was a distinguished painter of the nihonga style.
Welcome to Hakusa-sonso Hashimoto Kansetsu Garden & Museum. It is near Ginkakuji Temple. This property is the largest artist’s residence in Japan.
Hashimoto Kansetsu was born in Kobe in 1883. He moved to Kyoto in 1916. Kansetsu was active in Kyoto painting circles. His outstanding skills gave him the position as an Imperial Household artist in 1934. After his death in 1945, his family turned the property into a museum. The art museum opened in 1963. A new museum was built in 2014 to extend the exhibition space.
The Hakusa-sonso Garden was built from 1913 to 1945. It took 32 years to complete on land that was previously rice fields. The large site includes stone lanterns. You can also find Buddha statues and water basins. Pillars and small pagodas are also here. These are from the Heian, Kamakura and Momoyama periods. Hashimoto Kansetsu collected them during his lifetime.
The garden is ideal for strolling. It remains lovely in all seasons. You will find pine, plum, cherry, and maple trees. Bushes of azalea and hydrangea are also planted here. Paths of stepping stones lead through mossy thatched gates. You will cross small bridges. There are over 30 pieces of historic stonework.
The buildings at the Hakusa-sonso are special. The main house is called Zuibeisan. There is also a tea house. Its name is Isuitei Keijakuan. A rustic arbor overlooks a pond. It is called Nyohoutei. The artist’s main studio is Zonkoro. Hashimoto painted here. Light reflected from the small lake outside. There is even a small personal temple.
The Hashimoto Kansetsu Museum was built in 2014. It has three modern buildings of concrete and wood. Museum I contains Japanese paintings. It also holds Hashimoto’s personal art collection. You will find Asian and Western paintings. Gilded byobu folding screens are also on display. Calligraphy scrolls and shodo utensils are present.
Museum II exhibits the Japanese paintings and sketches of the artist. Many paintings and drawings depict animals. Monkeys, weasels, and cats are depicted. Horses, pheasants, and swans are also subjects. The entrance to Museum II has a small shop. You can buy books, prints, and postcards. There are excellent views from the veranda. You can see Daimonji and the Higashiyama mountains.
Museum III has a revolving collection. It may show ceramics or glassware. It may also show paintings. The Museum features temporary exhibitions. These showcase the work of Japanese and international artists.
There are restaurants at Hakusasonso. Restaurant Hashimoto serves Japanese food. You can order a la carte or a set course. They serve traditional kaiseki meals. Noanoa is a western-style restaurant and cafe. It serves Italian food. You can sit outdoors in a garden setting.
From the garden at Hakusasonso, glimpses of the Higashiyama mountains can be seen. The mountains look like a large landscape. It is like a painting on a folding screen.
Hashimoto Kansetsu and his wife planted the cherry trees along the Philosopher’s Walk. This is now a popular cherry blossom spot. Hakusasonso garden was designated as a National Site of Scenic beauty. It reflects unparalleled aesthetic sense.