Rokkaen

History of Rokkaen

Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1913 under the direction of Josiah Conder, the British architect famous for designing Rokumeikan, a landmark of Western-style architecture in early modern Japan. Although many of Conder’s surviving buildings are concentrated in Tokyo, Rokkaen is his only surviving architectural work in a regional location outside the capital, making it particularly significant.

The decision to commission Conder was influenced by the connections of the Moroto family. Seiroku Moroto I had developed relationships with government figures during the Satsuma Rebellion and maintained ties with the Iwasaki family, founders of the Mitsubishi business empire.

After the residence was completed, the Moroto family built another home in Kuwana and moved there. During and after the Pacific War, the estate was used as offices by companies associated with the family.

In 1990, Kuwana City received the buildings as a donation from the Moroto family and purchased the grounds in 1991. Following restoration and renovation work, Rokkaen opened to the public in 1993. The buildings were designated Mie Prefecture Tangible Cultural Properties in 1996 and became nationally designated Important Cultural Properties in 1997 under the name “Former Moroto Family Residence, Two Buildings.” In 2001, the garden was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.

The Western-Style Mansion

The Western-style mansion was designed by Josiah Conder and built primarily in the architectural style of Victorian-era residences. Its distinctive features include a four-story tower at the northeastern corner, a polygonal veranda projecting toward the garden on the first floor, and a sunroom on the second floor.

The original plans called for a three-story tower, but Seiroku Moroto II requested an additional floor so that he could enjoy a wider view of the Ibi River. This personal touch gives the building its unusual silhouette.

The interior also reveals a thoughtful blend of Japanese and Western influences. The first floor follows a Western-style layout, while the second floor combines Western-style rooms with traditional Japanese sliding doors. Practical features, including built-in storage shelves inside closets, demonstrate that the mansion was designed for comfortable everyday living as well as visual elegance.

The third and fourth floors of the tower are not currently open to visitors.

The Japanese-Style Residence

The Japanese-style residence was completed in 1912, a year before the Western mansion. Its construction was led by Suetsugu Itō, a master carpenter employed by the Moroto family. The building is primarily single-story, with a small section extending to two floors.

At the time, Japanese and Western residences were generally constructed as separate buildings. At Rokkaen, however, the Japanese-style residence directly adjoins the Western mansion, forming an unusual architectural arrangement. Daily family life centered largely on the Japanese-style rooms.

Wooden corridors extend around the residence, connecting its rooms and providing views of the surrounding gardens. Along the northern inner courtyard, tatami-mat corridors separate the rooms from the surrounding wooden passageways. These spaces reflect the traditional distinction between areas used by the family, the head of the household, and visiting guests.

The Main Garden

Situated south of the buildings, the main garden combines open lawns with a traditional Japanese pond garden. Carefully arranged streams, waterfalls, and dry stream features create a landscape designed to be appreciated from different viewpoints around the estate.

When the residence was first built, the eastern part of the garden featured a Western-style circular rose garden with a fountain at its center, designed by Conder. This feature was removed during renovations carried out between the late Taisho period and the early Showa period.

The pond originally connected to the Ibi River, allowing its water level to rise and fall with the river’s tides. This arrangement created a distinctive tidal pond garden known in Japanese as a shioiri garden.

The Inner Courtyard Garden

The inner courtyard was originally designed as a traditional garden associated with a tea house and waiting room. In 1938, the tea house was removed and a detached building was constructed for use as a Buddhist prayer room.

The renovation was supervised by Sōgo Matsuo, the tenth-generation head of the Matsuo school of tea ceremony, which had connections with the Moroto family. The work also included changes to the main garden, shaping parts of the landscape visitors see today.

Enjoying the Estate Today

Visitors can enjoy matcha green tea in the lobby, accompanied by seasonal traditional Japanese sweets made by Hananoya, a long-established confectionery shop in Kuwana. A souvenir corner also offers a selection of local specialties.

The neighboring restaurant, Rocca, provides an opportunity to dine while looking out toward the elegant Western-style mansion. With its distinctive architecture, carefully designed gardens, and cultural experiences, Rokkaen offers a fascinating introduction to the meeting of Japanese and Western lifestyles in early 20th-century Japan.