Game Room
Overview
Soon after the Old Public Hall was completed, businessmen and politicians socialized in this room, which contained a billiard table, soon after the Old Public Hall was built. The game of billiards was introduced to Japan in the Edo period (1603–1868) and became popular among businesspeople, politicians, and aristocrats in the Meiji era (1868–1912), and later on the public began to adopt it.
Cue-stick stand
This stand was used for billiard cue sticks.
Central ceiling ornament
The rooms of the Old Public Hall have different décor and ceiling ornamentation depending on their function. The Game Room has a plaster coffered ceiling with wooden ribs and a finely wrought center ornament, which give it a refined atmosphere.
Chandelier (restoration)
The chandelier hangs from the center of the ceiling and has the same floral motif as the chandeliers in the large and small dining rooms.
Sideboard
Hakodate craftspeople created the furniture of the in classic Western style, while also incorporating Japanese and Chinese designs. This sideboard was used to store tablecloths and tableware, and doubled as a display shelf.
Umbrella stand and Hat rack
These stands were probably placed in every room on the first floor. Elite visitors had no need for them, as they would come by coach or car directly to the Old Public Hall’s entrance and thus did not have umbrellas.