Hirosaka Annex Building
The Hirosaka Annex of the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art was built in 1922 as the official residence of the commander of the Ninth Division of the Japanese Imperial Army. It was registered a Tangible Cultural Property in 2016 as a characteristic example of a Taisho-era (1912–1926) military residence. It is one of only six left in the country.
Historical Context
Western influence and an eclectic mix of styles are defining traits of Taisho-era buildings. After more than two centuries of isolation, Japan’s borders were forcibly opened to trade in 1854 following the arrival of a United States Navy squadron possessing far superior firepower. Newly aware of a power imbalance with Western countries, Japan kicked off a period of rapid modernization. At the time, many Japanese leaders felt the fastest route to closing the gap was adopting elements of Western culture—including architecture. Foreign architects were sometimes invited to design buildings. In other cases, domestic architects worked independently to replicate the appearance of Western buildings, often blending traditional Japanese elements into their designs.
Key Features
The current front entrance is beneath a peak-roofed carriage porch where visitors arriving by coach would have disembarked. However, it is thought that the commander and his family would have entered through a second doorway that once existed to the right, where today a small gable covers an area of slightly grayer stonework. On the building’s upper floor, half-timber accents—a common architectural feature in northern Europe—are painted pink and set into thick mortar applied in a rough-textured style called doitsu kabe, or “German walls.” Another point to note is the European-style main roof, with its clipped gable and dormer-style vent. In contrast to the front of the building, the rear is covered in white wooden siding. This is thought to be a later addition by American military forces who took over the building in 1945 during the Allied Occupation; they felt the change would give the building a homier feel. Some original interior elements remain, including two mantelpieces adorning faux fireplaces, and some rare surviving examples of period glass lighting fixtures. The ornamental woodwork of the ceilings—a different design in every room—also survives.
Surviving plans tell us the original structure also included a large residential area. The commander worked and entertained guests in the building’s Western-style rooms (the half of the house that survives), but he and his family lived in Japanese-style tatami rooms that were torn down in 1962. In 2008 and 2016, parts of the building were renovated and a tatami room was restored.
Current Use
After World War II, the structure was used at various points as housing for American military officers, offices for the Kanazawa Family Court, a prefectural children’s center, a bird sanctuary, and a rest facility for neighboring Kenrokuen Garden. Now, however, the building houses the art museum’s Conservation and Restoration Studio of Cultural Properties. The Studio is responsible not only for restoring and maintaining the museum’s collection, but also for providing specialized training for the next generation of technical experts. Visitors can learn about various restoration processes at an interactive touchscreen station and even see restoration work in progress in the observation area.
