Together with the construction of the Kairaku-en garden, the lord of Mito, Tokugawa Nariaki, erected a wooden three-story Japanese style building which he named Kobuntei (after kobun, an old word for “plum"). Kobuntei was used as living quarters for the lord’s family and as an artistic gathering space where writers and artists were invited to work, inspired by the beauty of the garden.

Unfortunately, the original Kobuntei burned during the bombings of the WWII. It was rebuilt during the 1950’s and the wood of a large odaiko drum, that survived the fire, was used to rebuild this remarkably beautiful round window…

Kobuntei, Mito

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: A bit of samurai history, the odd bear wigs