Home of Japanese Mitsui Baron Family (1910~1996)
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Home of Japanese Mitsui Baron Family (1910~1996)
Location: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Tokyo
Timestamp: 13:55 on October 25, 2023
This residence, once belonging to Hachiroemon Takami, the head of the ten Mitsui clans renowned for their legacy in modern Japanese history through the Mitsui Zaibatsu--one of several large family-controlled vertical monopolies of industrial and financial conglomerates in Japan dating from the Edo Period unit the end of WWII.
Originally situated on an expansive site in Tokyo’s Nishi-Azabu neighborhood of Minato Ward, this mansion had served as the family’s main residence since 1906. Tragically, it fell victim to a devastating fire during the war, leading to the construction of a new main residence in Azabu-cho of Minato Ward in 1952. Azabu-cho is known today as Roppongi—the opulent district boasting world-class art museums, Michelin-starred restaurants, and luxurious shopping destinations.
The guest room and dining room, both dating back to 1897 in Kyoto, were painstakingly relocated after the Second World War. Additionally, a storehouse originating from 1874 was meticulously restored to its original condition. To reconstruct this historical mansion, a myriad of materials, including building components, stones, and plants, were sourced from Mitsui baron family-related facilities in Aburanokoji in Kyoto, Oiso in Kanagawa Prefecture, and Setagaya and Minato Wards in Tokyo.
Despite its reduced size compared to the original 1906 structure in Imai-cho (Roppongi), the residence still resonates with the power and grandeur of the Mitsui Baron family during the prosperous era of the zaibatsu, evident in its interior and furnishings.
Architecturally, the residence follows a mid-corridor style floor plan. Living spaces, including the guest room and dining room, are situated on the southern side of the mid-corridor, while service spaces such as an office, kitchen, and serving room occupy the northern side. This design seamlessly blends Japanese and Western lifestyles, featuring elements like rugs laid out on tatami mats and chairs and tables.
In 1996, the residence underwent a meticulous restoration process before being relocated to the Edo-Tokyo Architectural Museum in Koganei, Tokyo, where it stands today as a symbol of cultural fusion and the enduring legacy of the Mitsui family in Japanese history.
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