I-house in 1955 as it was from the 1970s
A perfect balance of garden and building (Cherry Blossom Party in 2002)

Historical Overview of the House Building and Garden

The site of the International House of Japan formerly held a mansion belonging to the Kyogoku Clan, feudal lords of Tadotsu Fief in present Kagawa Prefecture, during the Edo Period up to the very last days of the Tokugawa Shogunate in the late 19th century.

Early in the Meiji era the ownership shifted to Kaoru Inoue, then foreign minister, and elaborate banquets were held to show his tea arbor, Hasso-an, in April 1887, with the Emperor and Empress Meiji, the Empress Dowager and ambassadors of various countries in attendance.

At that time, a Kabuki play was performed by leading actors in front of the Imperial family for the first time ever, which is rumored to have spurred its popularity thereafter.

After Kaoru Inoue, this property was possessed by Prince Kuninomiya, the Akahoshi, and the Iwasaki families. Finally, it passed on to government ownership after World War II and was disposed of to the International House.

In 1955 the House building was constructed under the collaboration of three prominent Japanese architects -- Kunio Maekawa, Junzo Sakakura, Junzo Yoshimura -- and in 1976 the building was expanded using Maekawa's design. The House building has been awarded the Architectural Institute of Japan Prize and in March 2006 was registered by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as registered tangible cultural properties.

The projection of the building above the pond was modeled after a motif which can be seen in scroll paintings of the Heian Period (794-1185), while the House garden, designed by the seventh-generation famed Kyoto landscape artist Jihei Ogawa (also known as Ueji), charms people with the ambience of the Momoyama Period (late 16th century) or early Edo Period (early 17th century).

The International House building, although modern in design, was built in harmony with the garden. In October 2005 this garden was designated as a place of scenic beauty by Minato Ward.