Most viewed - Northern Culture Museum 北方文化博物館 |
Entrance to Northern Culture Museum, formerly the Japanese-style mansion of the Ito farming family who were a wealthy landowner from the 18th century.296 views
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When Wright found out that Bunkichi was a fellow University of Pennsylvania graduate, he fully supported the preservation of the property. They saved the property by converting it into a museum. 214 viewsA foundation was established and the property was donated to it. Pictured is Ralph Wright and Itoh Bunkichi VIII (1927- ), the son of Bunkichi VII (1896-1958).
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Inside the Shukokan rice warehouse, now an antique exhibition room. 集古館198 views
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Museum office194 views
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Monument for Itoh Bunkichi VII (1896-1958) and Lt. Ralph E. Wright (from Peoria, Illinois). Right after WWII in 1945, they saved the property from being demolished due to the Land Reform Act.186 views
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Inside Sanraku-tei with unusually shaped tatami mats to fit the triangular floor. It has three rooms, one was a study and another was a tea ceremony room.157 views
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It was Japan's first private museum to receive governmental approval. During the years following, it took several years to rebuild the garden and buildings. This is the museum office next to the entrance.156 views
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Acting on reports that the Itoh property was storing hidden materials for the old Imperial Army, Lt. Ralph E. Wright from the American Occupation forces conducted a search and met Itoh Bunkichi VII, the owner. Photo: Grave of Ralph E. Wright-Peterson.148 views
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The first room you see is this Cha-no-ma living room where the head of the household greeted guests. Built in 1885-1887, the house has more than 60 rooms, with a floor space of about 4,000 sq. meters. 茶の間146 views
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Entrance foyer (unused). I had the pleasure of meeting Itoh Bunkichi VIII who explained about how the property was saved by Lt. Wright. He was the one who built the monument for his father and Lt. Wright.145 views
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Cha-no-ma living room144 views
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Built in 1891, Sanraku-tei, a highly unusual triangular tea house. 三楽亭144 views
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The museum is within a spacious, garden-like grounds. It includes the main house, tea houses, storehouse, and a few shops and restaurants.142 views
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Irori hearth next to the kitchen. 囲炉裏142 views
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Room with a view: This is the centerpiece of the former home, a large drawing room (Ohiroma) used for large gatherings. It gives a marvelous view of the garden. 大広間141 views
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138 views
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2nd floor exhibition room displays various artifacts of the Itoh family. The room formerly served as a storeroom and workroom for making futon and rags. 考古資料館137 views
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Corridor facing the courtyard.135 views
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Courtyard garden as seen from the 2nd floor.131 views
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130 views
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Display of stuffed toki or crested ibis, an endangered species. Official bird of Niigata and raised on Sado island.129 views
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The rear drawing room was where guests would wait until they were welcomed into the Ohiroma main drawing room.128 views
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Ohiroma drawing room127 views
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Garden facing the drawing rooms. 庭園126 views
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With 100 tatami mats, the Ohiroma drawing room is the most impressive room in the house.126 views
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Ohiroma drawing room was used only a few times a year for wedding and funeral receptions, etc.125 views
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Veranda124 views
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Corner of rear drawing room (urazashiki)123 views
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Hearth in the kitchen. A bale of rice (60 kg) was cooked every day. Over 50 maids, cooks, and other servants worked in the house.121 views
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Corridor121 views
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Courtyard garden 中庭121 views
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Courtyard garden121 views
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Plate120 views
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120 views
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Veranda along the courtyard garden120 views
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Impressive garden views from the rear drawing room (urazashiki)119 views
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Rear drawing room (Urazashiki) adjacent to the Ohiroma main drawing room.119 views
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Veranda of Ohiroma drawing room118 views
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Ohiroma drawing room and adjacent garden in autumn.118 views
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Lacquerware on display117 views
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108 views
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