Perched serenely in Tokyo’s Taito ward lies a testament to opulence and history the Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden. This was once the palatial home of Hisaya Iwasaki. He was the third president of Mitsubishi. Imagine the year is 1896. Iwasaki purchases this land and commissions British architect Josiah Condor to design a residence fitting his status.
Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden is more than just a garden. It is a journey through time. Condor had come to Japan in 1877 to modernize architectural design. Iwasaki had just graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The result? A unique blend of Jacobean English Renaissance revival and Pennsylvanian estate house features.
Initially the Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden complex consisted of twenty buildings. It housed the Iwasaki family and their fifty servants. Today only three structures remain. These are the guest mansion the Swiss-style billiards house and one Japanese-style building. The rest fell victim to the US occupation and the Japanese Department of Justice.
Step inside the guest house of Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden. Admire the stained-glass windows and the parquet floors. Ascend the spiral staircase. Discover fifteen distinct fireplaces each a work of art. Notice the Jacobean-style decorations with vines wrapping around the wooden columns. Iwasaki’s time in Pennsylvania influenced the design.
The billiards room stands apart. It is a Swiss mountain hut. It was an architectural rarity in Japan at the time. A hidden underground passageway connects it to the main residence. Imagine evenings spent here with friends and family. They enjoyed a game of billiards in this unique setting.
The Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden also features a Japanese-style building. It showcases screen paintings by the renowned artist Masakuni Hashimoto. Once there were seven Japanese-style buildings. They were larger than the Western-style residence. Today only one remains.
Though smaller than its original size the garden still holds treasures. Discover stone monuments lanterns and a stone hand-washing basin from the Edo period. Once a rose garden colored the lawn. An Autumn Festival filled Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden with fragrance. Now, a serene lawn provides open space.
After World War II the Allied Powers confiscated the residence. Later it became the Judicial Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court. In 1961 the main mansion gained recognition as an Important Cultural Asset. This recognition extended to the entire property in 1999. Since 2001 the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has administered it.
Today the Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden stands as a testament to a bygone era. It is a blend of cultures and architectural styles. It is a place where you can enjoy green matcha tea. You can savor confectioneries amidst antique charm.
As you leave the Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden remember the legacy of the Iwasaki family. Remember their contribution to Japanese industry and culture. Consider the vision of Josiah Condor. His vision brought this unique architectural gem to life. The Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei Garden is a place where history architecture and culture converge.