Wartime Leader’s Tokyo Residence Revitalized
- After extensive renovations aimed at restoring its original grandeur, the Tokyo residence of wartime Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, known as Tekigaiso, has opened its doors to the public.
- Located in the Ogikubo 2-chome district of Tokyo’s Suginami Ward, this state-designated historic site has been meticulously restored to reflect its appearance from over 60 years ago.
- Completed in 1927, Tekigaiso was designed by architect Chuta Ito (1867-1954), renowned for his work on the Tsukiji Hongwanji temple. In 1937, ownership transferred to Konoe, and Kinmochi...
Tekigaiso: Historic Tokyo Residence of Wartime Prime Minister Opens to Public
Table of Contents
- Tekigaiso: Historic Tokyo Residence of Wartime Prime Minister Opens to Public
- Tekigaiso: Your Questions answered About This Historic Tokyo Residence
- What is Tekigaiso?
- Where is Tekigaiso Located?
- When was Tekigaiso built?
- Who designed Tekigaiso?
- What is the historical significance of Tekigaiso?
- Why is the restoration of Tekigaiso important?
- What are some key features of the restored Tekigaiso?
- How was Tekigaiso restored?
- What are the visiting hours and admission fees for Tekigaiso?
- What happened to Tekigaiso before its restoration?
- Who was Fumimaro Konoe?
- Key People Associated with Tekigaiso
After extensive renovations aimed at restoring its original grandeur, the Tokyo residence of wartime Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, known as Tekigaiso, has opened its doors to the public.
Located in the Ogikubo 2-chome district of Tokyo’s Suginami Ward, this state-designated historic site has been meticulously restored to reflect its appearance from over 60 years ago. Every detail has been faithfully reproduced, drawing large crowds daily.
A Glimpse into History: design and Ownership
Completed in 1927, Tekigaiso was designed by architect Chuta Ito (1867-1954), renowned for his work on the Tsukiji Hongwanji temple. In 1937, ownership transferred to Konoe, and Kinmochi Saionji (1849-1940), an adviser to Emperor Hirohito, suggested the name Tekigaiso.
Konoe, who served three terms as prime minister, resided at Tekigaiso with his family until his suicide in 1945.
Relocation and restoration
In 1960, the entrance and guest room of the 540-square-meter, one-story wooden building were moved to Tokyo’s Toshima ward for use by the Tenrikyo religious group. In 2014,Suginami Ward acquired the remaining residential section and the 6,000-square-meter plot from Konoe’s descendants,followed by the acquisition of Tenrikyo’s property in 2018.
The painstaking restoration process involved dismantling Tekigaiso and transporting the pillars and beams to Fukui Prefecture. skilled carpenters, some with ties to the Eiheiji temple, were essential in reassembling the structure.
The goal of the renovation project was to allow visitors to witness the building’s role as the site of numerous critically important political meetings during the Showa Era (1926-1989). The interior fittings were carefully recreated to mirror the ambience of that time.
Key Features and Recreations
Tiles replicated with a 3-D printer adorn the reception room. A table and chairs with mother-of-pearl inlay were reproduced based on ancient photographs.
The guest room’s appearance is inspired by the 1940 Ogikubo Kaidan meeting, where Konoe, Hideki Tojo (1884-1948), and Yosuke Matsuoka (1880-1946) discussed policy, leading to Japan’s signing of the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy.
The color arrangement was determined, taking into account the hues of the tablecloth in a newspaper article and the army uniform that Tojo wore.
Koji Hoshino, an official responsible for Tekigaiso at the urban progress division of Suginami Ward
Konoe’s Study: A Moment Frozen in Time
Konoe’s study remains untouched, preserving the state in which it was found after his death. No changes have been made to the walls, tatami mats, or door as it was handed over by his descendants.
His family effectively did nothing to (change) the study. time stopped here in 1945.
Koji Hoshino, an official responsible for Tekigaiso at the urban development division of Suginami Ward
Visitor Details
Tekigaiso opened to the public on Dec. 9 and has as attracted around 500 visitors daily, exceeding 10,000 in the first month.
visiting Hours and Admission
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Admission:
- Adults: 300 yen ($1.90)
- Elementary and Junior High School Students: 150 yen
Explore the meticulously restored Tekigaiso and step back in time to experience a pivotal period in Japanese history.
Summary of Key People
| Name | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Fumimaro Konoe | Wartime Prime Minister | 1891-1945 |
| Chuta Ito | Architect of Tekigaiso | 1867-1954 |
| Kinmochi Saionji | Adviser to Emperor Hirohito | 1849-1940 |
| Hideki Tojo | Military Leader | 1884-1948 |
| Yosuke matsuoka | Diplomat | 1880-1946 |
Tekigaiso: Your Questions answered About This Historic Tokyo Residence
Tekigaiso, the former Tokyo residence of wartime Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, has recently opened to the public after extensive renovations. This meticulously restored site offers a glimpse into a pivotal period in Japanese history. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Tekigaiso:
What is Tekigaiso?
Tekigaiso is the historic Tokyo residence of Fumimaro Konoe, who served as Japan’s wartime Prime Minister. The residence,now a state-designated historic site,has been restored to its original grandeur and opened to the public,showcasing its importance during the Showa Era (1926-1989).
Where is Tekigaiso Located?
Tekigaiso is located in the Ogikubo 2-chome district of Tokyo’s Suginami Ward.
When was Tekigaiso built?
Tekigaiso was completed in 1927.
Who designed Tekigaiso?
The residence was designed by architect Chuta Ito (1867-1954), who is also renowned for his work on the Tsukiji Hongwanji temple.
What is the historical significance of Tekigaiso?
Tekigaiso served as the residence of Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, a key figure during japan’s wartime period. It was the site of numerous crucial political meetings during the Showa Era. One notable event that occurred in the guest room in 1940 was the Ogikubo Kaidan meeting, where Konoe, along wiht Hideki tojo and Yosuke Matsuoka, discussed policy that led to Japan’s signing of the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy. Konoe resided at Tekigaiso with his family until his death in 1945.
Why is the restoration of Tekigaiso important?
The restoration allows visitors to witness the building’s role as the site of numerous critically important political meetings during the Showa Era. It preserves a significant piece of Japanese history and offers insight into the political climate of the time.
What are some key features of the restored Tekigaiso?
Reception Room: Features tiles replicated with a 3-D printer. A table and chairs with mother-of-pearl inlay have been reproduced based on historical photographs.
Guest Room: Its appearance is inspired by the 1940 Ogikubo Kaidan meeting. The color arrangements, including the tablecloth and the army uniform worn by Tojo, were carefully recreated based on historical records.
Konoe’s Study: Preserved untouched, maintaining the same state in which it was found after Konoe’s death in 1945.
How was Tekigaiso restored?
The restoration process was painstaking and involved:
Dismantling Tekigaiso and transporting the pillars and beams to Fukui Prefecture.
Utilizing skilled carpenters, some with ties to the Eiheiji temple, to reassemble the structure.
Carefully recreating the interior fittings to mirror the ambience of the Showa Era.
What are the visiting hours and admission fees for Tekigaiso?
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: Wednesdays
Admission:
Adults: 300 yen ($1.90)
* Elementary and Junior High School Students: 150 yen
What happened to Tekigaiso before its restoration?
In 1960,the entrance and guest room of tekigaiso were moved to Tokyo’s Toshima ward for use by the Tenrikyo religious group. In 2014,Suginami Ward acquired the remaining residential section and the 6,000-square-meter plot from Konoe’s descendants. The property from Tenrikyo was acquired in 2018.
Who was Fumimaro Konoe?
Fumimaro Konoe (1891-1945) was a prominent Japanese politician who served three terms as Prime Minister during a crucial period leading up to and during World war II.His leadership and decisions considerably influenced Japan’s wartime policies.
Key People Associated with Tekigaiso
| Name | Role | Dates |
| ——————- | ———————————– | ———– |
| Fumimaro Konoe | Wartime Prime minister | 1891-1945 |
| Chuta Ito | Architect of Tekigaiso | 1867-1954 |
| Kinmochi Saionji | Adviser to Emperor Hirohito | 1849-1940 |
| Hideki Tojo | Military Leader | 1884-1948 |
| Yosuke Matsuoka | Diplomat | 1880-1946 |