On a lush hill overlooking the beautiful surface of Lake Inawashiro, there stands a stunning white Western-style mansion that looks like it has stepped out of a movie set.
'Tenkyo-kaku', designated as an Important Cultural Property, was a luxurious villa built in 1908 by Prince Takehito Arisugawa, who was captivated by the beauty of this area's scenery. Later, Prince Yoshihito, who would become Emperor Taisho, stayed here, and it was named 'Tenkyo-kaku' in reference to a poem by Li Bai.
If you were a member of the imperial family or nobility during the Meiji era, what kind of dress would you wear, and what kind of time would you spend in this luxurious Western-style mansion? This time, we will guide you through the "heart-wrenching historical drama" related to the architectural beauty of the Meiji era and the Arisugawa family.
Gorgeous and splendid! Enjoy the royal interior of the Meiji era
Upon entering the two-story wooden building based on Renaissance style, you are completely in the "Royal World of Meiji".
Each room is equipped with 26 beautiful fireplaces made of majolica tiles imported from England, and charming angel decorations adorn the Rococo-style chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The social gathering place of the time: the billiard room
What is particularly interesting is the "billiard room." This room was essential for the social gatherings of the upper class at the time, and the billiard table here is said to have been passed down from the great businessman Hara Sankei, who created the Sankei-en in Yokohama.
The lighting fixtures were also designed to ensure that no shadows from the balls would be cast during the game, allowing us to imagine the nobles enjoying games here elegantly and seriously.
The "Fukushima Prefectural Guest House" born from love and compassion for the imperial family
On the grounds of the Tenkyokaku, there is another important building that cannot be overlooked. It is the "Former Takamatsu-no-Miya Wakasugi Villa (now Fukushima Prefectural Guest House)" which has a purely Japanese appearance.
Why was a Japanese-style villa built when there was already the Western-style Tenkyokaku?
In fact, in the 11th year of Taisho, His Highness Prince Naruhito of Takamatsu, concerned about the health of his wife, Princess Yoshiko (who was celebrating her 60th birthday), thought that "a Japanese-style building with tatami would allow for a more peaceful recovery," and took over a year to present this exquisite Japanese architecture.
It is a warm yet dignified space that combines the family love of the imperial family and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. (Currently, it is open for special visits for a limited time.)
[Historical Mystery] The tragic love torn apart between the Arisugawa family and Kazunomiya
Now, the "Arisugawa family" that built this beautiful villa is also a family that bore the most dramatic and tragic fate in the history of the late Edo period.
Do you know the tragic princess "Kazunomiya" who married the 14th shogun of the Tokugawa, Iemochi? In fact, Kazunomiya was originally engaged to Prince Taruhito of the Arisugawa family since she was six years old.
They were deeply in love, but to calm the national chaos caused by the arrival of the Black Ships (the union of the court and the shogunate), their engagement was forcibly broken by the shogunate, and Kazunomiya was married off to the shogun's family in Edo, swallowing her tears.
Immerse yourself in the romance of history in a beautiful Western-style mansion.
How was it? The Arisugawa family came to an end in the Taisho era, closing the curtain on their noble history. However, this villa in Inawashiro, which they loved, continues to stand by the lakeside in unchanged beauty.
At Tabinoito, we offer a tour in the Academic style where you can enjoy the appreciation of such splendid architectural beauty along with the hidden human dramas and historical ironies, enriched by our guide's commentary.
While gazing up at the dazzling chandelier, why not reflect on the 'love and destiny' of the people who rushed from the late Edo period to the Meiji era? We look forward to walking through this romantic space with you.
