I wrote about my visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum for the “Decoration never dies, anyway” exhibit. But now I want to focus on the actual building where the museum is located.
The building is actually the former residence of Prince Asaka from the Asaka branch of the imperial family which was founded in 1906 by Prince Yasuhiko, the eighth son of Prince Kuni Asahiko.
Prince Yasuhiko went to France to study military affairs in 1922 but was injured in a traffic accident. He was joined by his spouse, Princess Nobuko who joined him and they remained in France ’til 1925. But during those years of staying in France, it was time during the golden age of Art Deco and both were fascinated by it.
So, when returning to Japan, they wanted to incorporate Art Deco into their new residence and commissioned the French artist Henri Rapin to design the interiors of the rooms. The architect in charge of designing the building is Gondo Yokichi of the Works Bureau of the Imperial Household Ministry and a man who was also passionate about modern architecture while training in Europe.
So, the residence is considered a work of art and when you are going to see an exhibit, along with the signs, you will see additional descriptions but for the actual room and how it pertained to the residence. The structure embodies the Art Deco style and more.
In 1983, the residence opened to the public as the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum.
In March 1993, the main building［the former Prince Asaka Residence] became the first structure to be designated an Important Cultural Property by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
And in July 2015, the main building, tearoom, central entrance gate and other elements of the residence are designated as Important Cultural Properties.
If you are in the Minato area and happen to be an art enthusiast, definitely visit the location (click here to see what exhibit is happening at the museum) to check out what new exhibit is currently ongoing and visit one of Tokyo’s important cultural properties.
