Former Tanaka Family Residence, Important Cultural Property in Suehiro, Japan.
The Tanaka Family Residence is a three-story brick building that blends Japanese and Western architectural styles throughout its design. The interior combines traditional Japanese rooms with Western features, including a wooden staircase and varied room arrangements.
Built in 1923 for Tokubei Tanaka, a miso industrialist, the residence reflects how wealthy families adopted new architectural ideas during this period. It stands as a record of when Japanese architects incorporated Western influences into their work.
The residence shows how affluent Japanese families lived and used their spaces in the early 20th century. The blend of Japanese sliding doors and Western architectural choices reflects tastes that were popular among wealthy industrialists during this period.
The residence is spread across multiple levels with stairs connecting the different floors, so plan to walk through each section. It is helpful to check the opening hours beforehand, as visits are typically guided and may run on a set schedule.
The sliding doors throughout the house display Western patterns on their exterior surfaces while keeping traditional Japanese designs on the inside. This detail shows how the family navigated between Western and Japanese influences, even in everyday objects.
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