Kanagawa Prefectural Government Main Building Tower of King
Kanagawa Prefectural Government Main Building Tower of King＜神奈川県庁本庁舎（キングの塔）英語版解説＞
Kanagawa Prefectural Government Main Building Tower of King＜神奈川県庁本庁舎（キングの塔）英語版解説＞
Location: Nihon-odori 1, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Structure: Reinforced concrete, five-storied and one basement building with a nine-storied tower building
Design: Prefectural Government Building Construction Office, Internal Affairs Department, Kanagawa Prefectural Government (Original plan made by OBI Karo)
Construction: Obayashi Corporation
Ground breaking: January 15, 1927 Completion: October 31, 1928 (Opening ceremony held on November 1.)
Building area: 3,144 m2(current status) Total floor area: 17,929 m2 (current status) Height: Eaves 22.64 m,Tower 48.60 m Total construction cost: ¥2.75 million Designation: National important cultural property
Overview
The construction works of Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building, an important cultural property designated by the national government, was completed after the Great Kanto Earthquake, in October 1928. It is the fourth government building and one of the symbolic modern architecture of Yokohama.
Photo: The fourth Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building at the time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
The design was worked out by architectural engineers of Kanagawa Prefectural Government (K.P.G.) with SANO Toshikata as advisor, based on the design of OBI Karo, who won the first prize in the design competition open to the public in 1926. The building is reinforced concrete structure of five stories and one basement floor, and has the “Tower of King”, the symbol of the building, rising at the center. Decorated with geometric patterns made of roughened surface tiles, terracotta and stones,the appearance shows the influence of the art deco style, which was in fashion at that time. Since it has a tower inspired by the five-layered tower of Buddhism, this building is also considered as a pioneer of western-style architecture with Japanese taste. This building is still in use as the prefectural office where Governor’s office is located.
Design drawing of the Main Building with details of the Assembly Hall on the third floor (front view) (Owned by K.P.G.)
The fourth K.P.G. Main Building under construction (Owned by Kanagawa Prefectural Archives)
Decoration: Hosoge
Hosoge is a kind of karakusa pattern. It is an imaginary flower that represents happiness. Hosoge pattern decoration is seen in many parts of the building, including ceramic decoration lamp and handrail grill of the entrance hall staircase, chandelier, door and furniture of the reception room No. 3, electric clocks of Governor’s Office and the reception room No. 3, as well as the ceramic decoration tile on the wall of the hallway in front of the Ceremonial Chamber. You will be able to find them on the occasion of open house, when visitors can see inside the building.
Hosoge on the handrail grill of entrance hall staircase.
Hosoge on the chandelier of the Reception Room No. 3
Hosoge on the door of the Reception Room No. 3
Hosoge on the ceramic tiles of the hallway in front of the Ceremonial Chamber
Decoration: Art Deco
Art deco is a style that was very popular around the world from the late 1920’s to 1930’s. Art Deco style can be seen on the terracotta and stones on the exterior wall, entrance door and transom of the elevator.
Art deco style decoration of stone pillars and beams of the entrance door
Art deco style decoration of the beam of the west entrance
Main rooms at the time of completion and their present condition
In addition to the appearance, the interior decoration, which emphasizes the style peculiar to Japan, is well preserved in the main rooms.
Main entrance hall(1F)
Though the chandelier was renewed, other remaining parts are conveying the taste of art deco at the time of completion even now, such as the brackets supporting the beams witha Japanese-style design. The ceramic decoration lamp on the main pillar of the stairway has the pattern of Hosoge arabesque flower patterns.
At the time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
Present
Reception Room No. 3 (3F)
This reception room was built in a luxurious style with a coffered ceiling (Go-tenjo) same as Large Conference Hall, and used for honored guests including the Emperor. You can also see the chandelier, furniture and furnishing goods with Hosoge patterns which were designed by K.P.G.’s architectural engineers.
At the time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
Present
Governor’s Office (3F)
The wall paper and lighting were renewed, but the ceiling decoration has been preserved as it was at the time of completion. On the lower edge of the beam, brackets are attached just like architrave seen in temples and shrine construction method.
At the time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
Present
Large Conference Hall (3F)
Large Conference Hall was used by Prefectural Assembly. The stairwell is open up to the fourth floor, and has a coffered ceiling (Go-tenjo), with higher foldup part at the center. The chandelier was renewed after the war, but well matches with the atmosphere of the room.
At the time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
Present
Ceremonial Chamber (4F)
This room was used for important ceremonies of K.P.G. Though once used as a general office room for administrative works, the chamber was decided to be repaired and restored because large part of its original interior decoration had been well preserved. The chandelier, which had been taken away, was installed again on its original position.
Atthe time of completion (Owned by Obayashi Corporation)
Present
*The main entrance hall, Exhibition Room (6F) and rooftop can be entered freely during the opening hour of the Main Building. For details, see the website of K.P.G.
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