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Retro Japan: University auditorium in Tokyo a blend of strength, beauty
TOKYO -- An auditorium at Japan Women's University in the Japanese capital was created to display both strength and beauty in its timber framing.
Among the modern buildings on the campus in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward, a structure exuding an elegant atmosphere catches the eye. The Naruse Memorial Auditorium originally opened in 1906 as the Homei Library Room & Auditorium. At the time, it featured brick walls, but after suffering significant damage in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the bricks were removed, and the building was turned into a wooden structure.
Inside the auditorium, a wooden truss structure disperses the weight of the roof with its beams arranged in triangles. The evenly spaced timber framing gives off a sense of orderly beauty within its robust design. Stained glass windows on each side of the stage add a touch of color to the serene setting.
In 1961, as part of the university's 60th-anniversary commemorative projects, the auditorium underwent renovations that included structural reinforcement. At that time, the building was renamed in honor of the university's founder, Jinzo Naruse (1858-1919). Recognized as a valuable relic of Meiji-era (1868-1912) wooden auditorium architecture, it was designated a tangible cultural property by Bunkyo Ward in 1974.
(Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Department)
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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on March 19, 2023.
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This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
