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The Sempukan () is a historic building in
The Sempukan () is a historic building in Osaka
is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
, 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 ...
. It used to function as a guest house for the Japanese Mint Bureau. Designed by Thomas Waters
Thomas James Waters (17 July 1842 – 5 February 1898) was an Irish civil engineer and architect. He was active in Bakumatsu period, Bakumatsu and early Meiji period Japan.
Biography
Waters was born in Birr, County Offaly, in Ireland in 1842 ...
, it is the oldest Western-style building in the city. The Meiji Emperor stayed at Sempukan during his visit to Osaka in 1872.
Architecture
Using local materials and bricks, the building was constructed according to the Colonial Veranda style. The granite outer pillars are of Italian Tuscany design. Inside, it is beautifully decorated with high ceilings and chandeliers. The building is also equipped with western style toilets that use running water for flushing. All rooms on the 2nd floor are equipped with its own fireplace and a special throne room was constructed to accommodate the Emperor and other members of the imperial family during their visits.Current condition
Due to its age and state of deterioration, the Sempukan is currently undergoing renovation and closed to the general public.See also
*Japan Mint
The is an Independent Administrative Institution of the Japanese government, responsible for producing and circulating the coins of Japan. The agency has its head office in Osaka with branches in Saitama and Hiroshima. The Japan Mint does not p ...
* Veranda
A veranda (also spelled verandah in Australian and New Zealand English) is a roofed, open-air hallway or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front an ...
References
* Buildings and structures in Osaka Houses completed in 1871 Important Cultural Properties of Japan {{japan-struct-stub