Tokyo's Westernized Past Explored in Edo-Tokyo Museum Exhibition

The Edo-Tokyo Museum has reopened its doors, presenting an exhibition that transports visitors back over 150 years to witness Tokyo's dramatic transformation and the significant Western architectural influences that shaped the city during the Meiji era. The new exhibit offers a journey through the urban atmosphere and spirit of that pivotal period.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the ambiance of the Meiji era through life-size replicas of iconic buildings, including the Nihonbashi bridge and Tokyo Station, as well as the bustling Ginza commercial avenue. The exhibition, running until August 23, is housed in the museum following a four-year renovation. It is divided into four chapters, enhanced by classical music, period decor, and original furniture, creating a nuanced European-influenced atmosphere.

Isamu Yoneyama, a historian and researcher at the museum, explained that early buildings represented a fusion of cultures, often developed by carpenters who studied foreign residences. He pointed to the Tsukiji Hotel, Tokyo's first Western-style building, as an example, noting its facade combined traditional Japanese geometric patterns with European tower elements. This period followed Japan's reopening to the world in 1868, a time when constructing modern buildings was crucial for demonstrating the nation's advancement.

The exhibition delves into the "Wayo Setchu" style, an eclectic approach where Japanese elements like pagodas and classic walls merged with Gothic structures and European avenues. Foreign architects, such as Irishman Thomas Waters who redesigned Ginza, and Briton Josiah Conder, designer of the Rokumeikan ballroom, played a role. The Rokumeikan, a symbol of Westernization, was eventually demolished in 1941 to foster nationalism. The exhibition also celebrates the pioneering designs of Japanese architects like Tatsuno Kingo and Katayama Tokuma, showcasing their early projects.