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''Meiji Seimei Kan'' (明治生命館) is a building in
''Meiji Seimei Kan'' (明治生命館) is a building in Marunouchi
Marunouchi () is an area in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan, located between Tokyo Station and the Kokyo, Imperial Palace. The name, meaning "inside the circle", derives from its location within the palace's outer moat. Marunouchi is the core ...
, Tokyo
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
, Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
.
History
The building was designed by Shinichiro Okada and completed in March 1934, two years after his death. It survived the bombing of Tokyo duringWorld War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, but was taken over by the General Headquarters / Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers
The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (), or SCAP, was the title held by General Douglas MacArthur during the United States-led Allied occupation of Japan following World War II. It issued SCAP Directives (alias SCAPIN, SCAP Index Number) ...
(GHQ/SCAP) after the war. It was returned to Meiji Isurance Company in 1956. In 1997, the building was designated a National Important Cultural Property. It was the first building erected in the Showa period to receive this honour. 明治生命館 ご案内 (Guide to Meiji Seimei Kan). 2013-01-13.
Architecture
The whole style of the building is in theGreek Revival architecture
Greek Revival architecture is a architectural style, style that began in the middle of the 18th century but which particularly flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in northern Europe, the United States, and Canada, ...
. The facade outside features monumental Corinthian pillars that run five stories high to the pediment
Pediments are a form of gable in classical architecture, usually of a triangular shape. Pediments are placed above the horizontal structure of the cornice (an elaborated lintel), or entablature if supported by columns.Summerson, 130 In an ...
, which is actually the fifth floor. The material used is concrete encased steel beam structure with a height of 31 m and an area of 3,856 m2. It sits on a property of 11,347 m2. It has 8 floors above ground and 2 below. The first and second floor, which contain conference rooms, dining rooms, offices, and waiting rooms, are open to the public for touring.
See also
* Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, TokyoReferences
External links
{{Coord, 35, 40, 44.27, N, 139, 45, 41.29, E, display=title Buildings and structures in Chiyoda, Tokyo Important Cultural Properties of Japan Architecture in Japan Meiji Yasuda Life Commercial buildings completed in 1934 1934 establishments in Japan Marunouchi