Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum, a scenic spot located within the former grounds of Todai-ji Temple in Nara, is comprised of two gardens from different eras: the "Front Garden," created during the Enpo era (1670-) of the Edo period, and the "Rear Garden," created in the late Meiji period, along with the Neiraku Museum.
The "Front Garden" originated when Kiyosumi Dosei, a government-licensed merchant of Nara sarashi (bleached linen), built a villa along the Yoshiki River, where his bleaching grounds were located, to entertain guests and dignitaries. He also constructed the Sanju-tei teahouse and a detached teahouse (later named Teishuken).
In the mid-Meiji period, the Front Garden passed into the hands of Seki Toemon, a fellow merchant. His eldest son, Seki Tojiro, spent nearly 10 years, starting in 1899, constructing the "Rear Garden" to the east, which includes a teahouse and a pond-centered strolling garden with borrowed scenery. He also repaired the dilapidated buildings and garden of the Front Garden, and in the spring of 1910, it was named "Isuien." From then on, it began to be used as a place for literary figures and artists to gather and pursue aesthetic arts.
Later, in 1939, it came into the possession of Junzo Nakamura, a shipping magnate from Kobe. In 1940, the Neiraku Museum Foundation was established there (now the Scenic Spot Isuien and Neiraku Museum Public Interest Incorporated Foundation).
The plan was to publicly exhibit Chinese bronzes, Japanese tea utensils and paintings, and Korean ceramics that Junzo Nakamura had collected while managing his shipping business. However, this was not realized due to the outbreak of war, and most of the artworks stored in the warehouse of his main residence in Kobe were lost in the Great Kobe Air Raid of March 1945. Approximately 4,000 items that survived the damage are currently on display.
Furthermore, Isuien was requisitioned by the GHQ after the war and the garden fell into disrepair. After its return in 1953, Junzo Nakamura's grandson, Junsuke, began repairing the garden and buildings. On June 1, 1958, Isuien was opened to the public, and twice a year, in spring and autumn, parts of the teahouse were used to display the collection.
The current museum building was constructed in 1969, designed by Kenzo Tange, and has featured permanent exhibitions since the following year. Isuien was designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1975. It has been rated four and a half stars on TripAdvisor for five consecutive years and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
YOSHIKO TASHIRO, Curator of the Isuien Garden and Neiraku Museum Public Interest Incorporated Foundation -- Isuien was a truly beautiful garden, and also a wonderful space where one could fully appreciate the intricate traditional architectural styles. If you visit Nara, why not stop by?
● Isuien Official Website https://isuien.or.jp/