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A Roment of NasunlopmeveDe

Examining the essence of theMeiji era in Duke Matsukata’s Villa
Duke Matsukata’s Villa stands quietly in a corner of the Senbonmatsu Farm, surrounded by trees.
Lingering vestiges of the Meiji era can still be found in the building.
Duke Matsukata'sVilla

An intriguing space where Japanese and Western influences mix

Masayoshi Matsukata (duke and primeminister) built a two-story wooden villaon his Senbonmatsu Farm in 1903. Thefirst story is built with stone (or brickwith stone facing) and the second story
is a wooden structure with plank siding.
Still cared for by the Matsukata family,
the stylish building has been preservedwith its original appearance intact. Thebuilding’s interior is not open to thepublic, but we have special permission
to show it here.

Living room: while the walls are the same color
as those in the kitchen, the relaxing colors of thefurnishings give the room a warm feel.

Front entrance: the entry
porch extends outward, coveredby a tiled roof.
Front
entrance

1F▲ Dining room: red carpeting, orange lighting, and bluegray walls combine for a stately ambience and lively
colors.

Upon entering the front door, adrawing room and living room
are on the right side of thehallway and a study is on the left.
The dining room lies straightahead. All are Western-stylerooms with eye-catching andprecious décor, including reliefs
on the ceiling, lighting, window
designs, and furnishings.

Drawing
room

Study

Fireplace(Marble)Fireplace(wood)

Hallway

Livingroom
Diningroom
Balcony

StairsFireplace(wood)

The original furnishings still retain their beauty
Many of the original
furnishings still
remain in Duke
Matsukata’s Villa.
Much of thefurniture’s beautiful
color and luster has
deepened over theyears, and all featuredesigns and forms
that can rarely beseen today.

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Ceiling light relief: a delicate
relief reminiscent of asnowflake. The designs varyslightly from room to room.

A historicalJapanese-style room
where Emperor
Taisho and Emperor
Showa stayed before
assuming thethrone.
Fireplace: features decorative tile that
portrays farm scenes of cows and sheep.

A wooden bench
A coat rack inplaced along thethe entryway. Itwall in the dining performs multiple
room. It features a functions with its
compact andmirror andappealing design. umbrella rack.

An armchair inthe living room. Its
quiet texture
blends well withthe otherfurnishings.

An oil lamp on
the living room
mantle. Oil is
added to thebottom of the lamp.

Balcony: a long, sun-filled balcony
enclosed in glass.
▲ The stairs to the second floor.

A room enjoyed by Edwin
Reischauer, the Americanambassador to Japan. Itfeatures tatami mats and afireplace.

Closet2FThe second floor features
décor that mixes Japaneseand Western elements. The
Japanese-style rooms withtatami mats have highceilings and fireplaces ofmarble or wood that vary indesign for each room. The
sunroom-like glass-enclosed
balcony still remains in its
original condition.

Attic: it uses a traditional Japaneseroof framing technique called wagoya.

Fireplace(Marble)

Fireplace(Marble)
Fireplace(wood)

Hallway
Closet

Jointed shelfStairs
Balcony
Tokonoma(alcove where art orflowers are displayed)

Fireplace(wood):
The Japanesestyle roomswithtatami mats

The stairs to the attic.

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