 Last additions - Northern Culture Museum 北方文化博物館 |
Dec 03, 2007
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Inside the Shukokan rice warehouse, now an antique exhibition room. 集古館Dec 03, 2007
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Museum officeDec 03, 2007
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Rear drawing room (Urazashiki) adjacent to the Ohiroma main drawing room.Dec 03, 2007
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Built in 1891, Sanraku-tei, a highly unusual triangular tea house. 三楽亭Dec 03, 2007
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Dec 03, 2007
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Corner of rear drawing room (urazashiki)Dec 03, 2007
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The rear drawing room was where guests would wait until they were welcomed into the Ohiroma main drawing room.Dec 03, 2007
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With 100 tatami mats, the Ohiroma drawing room is the most impressive room in the house.Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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Dec 03, 2007
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Impressive garden views from the rear drawing room (urazashiki)Dec 03, 2007
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Courtyard gardenDec 03, 2007
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Garden facing the drawing rooms. 庭園Dec 03, 2007
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Ohiroma drawing room and adjacent garden in autumn.Dec 03, 2007
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Courtyard garden 中庭Dec 03, 2007
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Veranda of Ohiroma drawing roomDec 03, 2007
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Veranda along the courtyard gardenDec 03, 2007
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Ohiroma drawing room was used only a few times a year for wedding and funeral receptions, etc.Dec 03, 2007
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Ohiroma drawing roomDec 03, 2007
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CorridorDec 03, 2007
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Lacquerware on displayDec 03, 2007
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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Dec 03, 2007
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Courtyard garden as seen from the 2nd floor.Dec 03, 2007
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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Dec 03, 2007
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VerandaDec 03, 2007
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Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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PlateDec 03, 2007
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Corridor facing the courtyard.Dec 03, 2007
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Irori hearth next to the kitchen. 囲炉裏Dec 03, 2007
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Display of stuffed toki or crested ibis, an endangered species. Official bird of Niigata and raised on Sado island.Dec 03, 2007
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Cha-no-ma living roomDec 03, 2007
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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Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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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. A 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).Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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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.Dec 03, 2007
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Entrance to Northern Culture Museum, formerly the Japanese-style mansion of the Ito farming family who were a wealthy landowner from the 18th century.Dec 03, 2007
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