Former Residence of Ito Denemon
Byakuren's room
The highlight of this great house is "Byakuren's room" situated on the second floor. This room has a great view of the Japanese garden from the window. There is a closet decorated with silver, and a storage space above the closet that is covered with paintings of butterflies. All those detailed designs were realized in order to win his younger second wife's heart.
A luxurious house collaborating Japanese- and Western-style architecture
The garden is extremely spacious. It is hard to believe that it was someone's private garden at some point. There are four buildings facing the garden and three storage houses. This sumptuous house is decorated in great detail. The Western-style living room is sublime - a space combining the aesthetics of Japan and the West.
Splendid Study
The elaborate study is also decorated delicately. The floor is composed of wooden mosaics while the walls are decorated with thin fabric covers with silk from the belts of kimono. The bookcase is placed on the east side and the doors are covered with plants and flower paintings of each season with plenty of gold dust. Furthermore, stained-glass from England is placed just above the doors.
A love story with a sad ending
The marriage ended after 10 years when Byakuren ran away with another man. After Denemon passed away, the house was supposed to be demolished. However, many citizens gathered and appealed with a petition to keep the house as a cultural property. As a result, this magnificent place is open to the public today. Visitors are touched by the beautiful architecture and the sad love story of its previous owner.
Byakuren's room
The highlight of this great house is "Byakuren's room" situated on the second floor. This room has a great view of the Japanese garden from the window. There is a closet decorated with silver, and a storage space above the closet that is covered with paintings of butterflies. All those detailed designs were realized in order to win his younger second wife's heart.
A luxurious house collaborating Japanese- and Western-style architecture
The garden is extremely spacious. It is hard to believe that it was someone's private garden at some point. There are four buildings facing the garden and three storage houses. This sumptuous house is decorated in great detail. The Western-style living room is sublime - a space combining the aesthetics of Japan and the West.
Splendid Study
The elaborate study is also decorated delicately. The floor is composed of wooden mosaics while the walls are decorated with thin fabric covers with silk from the belts of kimono. The bookcase is placed on the east side and the doors are covered with plants and flower paintings of each season with plenty of gold dust. Furthermore, stained-glass from England is placed just above the doors.
A love story with a sad ending
The marriage ended after 10 years when Byakuren ran away with another man. After Denemon passed away, the house was supposed to be demolished. However, many citizens gathered and appealed with a petition to keep the house as a cultural property. As a result, this magnificent place is open to the public today. Visitors are touched by the beautiful architecture and the sad love story of its previous owner.
