Okura Kihachiro is renowned for establishing the Okura zaibatsu (conglomerate) in his life time, focusing on government and military procurement from the Meiji Restoration to the Taisho Period. Despite his active presence in Tokyo, he held a deep affection for Kyoto. Thus, he constructed Makuzu-so Villa to spend his later years in Kyoto. In 1927, to celebrate his 90th birthday, Gion-kaku was constructed, inspired by the floats of Gion Festival.
Okura Kihachiro’s childhood name was Tsurukichi, later known as Tsuruhiko, and in his later years, he was called Kakuo. The roof of Gion-kaku features a copper pillar with a crane spreading its wings in five layers of gold leaf, and the back of the copper entrance double-door represents two large cranes. These are considered symbols of Okura Kihachiro himself. Additionally, the Gion-kaku featuring its roof made of copper plates is known as the “Copper Pavilion”, along with Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji Temple) and Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji Temple).
Gion-kaku
Gion-kaku is a three-story structure basically made of reinforced concrete, with two levels of floors resting on a stone base. A variety of stones, including Mannari stone, Oryu stone and Koryu stone are used throughout the structure. At the entrance of the lower level, there are gently sloping stone steps on both sides, and the walls feature reproductions of Dunhuang murals. Along the way, there are bronze lighting fixtures in the shape of a mythical creature, showcasing the designer’s fascination with supernatural beings.
Gion-kaku was designed by Ito Chuta, a professor at the Tokyo Imperial University’s Faculty of Engineering, who worked on the design of Heian Shrine, Meiji Shrine, and Tsukiji Nishihongan-ji Temple. Ito Chuta had a strong relationship with Okura Kihachiro, and also designed the Okura Museum of Art in Tokyo. The museum, completed around the same time as Gion-kaku, is the first private art museum in Japan owned by a foundation. It houses art and craftwork collected by Okura Kihachiro and his eldest son Kishichiro. The two buildings share many similarities in details, and it might be interesting to compare them.
Entrance of Gion-kaku
Amida Buddha of Gion-kaku
Cranes on the Back of the Copper Double-door
Interior of Gion-kaku
Lighting Fixture of a Mythical Creature
South Gate and Gion-kaku
