張宏吉醫師部落格－宏孕診所 Honji Fertility Center

THE VILLA: Kaiuso’s villa was built on the grounds of the Nanzenji Temple in 1905, a vestige of which remains in the form of a belfry in a corner of the garden. Divided into two distinct parts, the main residence features both traditional Japanese and Western-style buildings. Accessed through a large gate and a gently curving path that crosses a stone bridge, the Japanese-style portion of the main building is a long structure with a copper roof, canopy, and eaves. Constructed in the traditional sukiya architectural style, used in many culturally significant buildings throughout the country, the home utilizes high-quality Japanese hemlock wood in decorations and ceiling materials, as well as cedar, lacquered finishes, and powdered gold decorative touches. Living spaces include original tatami rooms, highlighted by a multi-purpose main room that is 12.5 tatami mats in size, or approximately 218 square feet, and features a large decorative window. A Buddhist altar room was a late addition, paired with a spacious 25 tatami–sized living area. After spending time in France, Inabata also required a Western-style residence for his personal quarters. The second residence was built in 1916, and boasts brick construction with an abundance of classic Japanese accents including decorative roof tiles, a Japanese-style frame, and a frieze copied from the Hall of the Poetry Immortals at Shisendo that adorns the large dining room. A first-floor kitchen and a full basement are added amenities.

THE GARDENS: Created by Ueji, the most famous gardener of Japan’s modern era, Kaiuso’s profoundly inspiring gardens differ from traditional Japanese garden design in that they present a realistic view of nature, rather than an idealized representation. Due to Kaiuso’s location and elevation, it is the first garden to receive waters fed directly from the Lake Biwa Canal, which has come to symbolize the modernization of Japan. Three teahouses are scattered across the property, including the Zangetsutei and Ryuginan teahouses to the east of the villa and the Sodo teahouse, reached through a cavelike tunnel at the southern end of the garden. Both Ryunginan and Sodo offer excellent opportunities for tea service and quiet entertaining. The Ryunginan teahouse comprises a large main room, two smaller tea-preparation rooms, and two kitchen-like areas and is surrounded by peacefully meandering streams. Sodo’s hilltop location provides panoramic views of the breathtaking Kyoto skyline. Flanked by stone paths, mossy rocks, and rolling hills, and a number of trickling waterfalls that spill into ponds, Kaiuso is one of the most extensive and beautiful gardens still in private hands.

THE LOCATION: Kyoto serves as the perfect site for this wondrous garden. Once Japan’s ancient seat of government, known for its scenic gardens and temples, Kyoto has undergone numerous transformations and stands today as a diverse and modern cityscape. Situated amid the revered and sacred grounds of the Nanzenji Temple, Kaiuso is certainly its crown jewel.

Offered at ¥8,000,000,000.