2024 Volume 87 Issue 5 Pages 355-360
Shoto-en, designated as a nationally renowned garden, was created by Akitomo, the 13th generation of the Tachibana family, in 1879 and was utilized until 1909. No photographs of the early Shoto-en built by Akitomo were known to exist. However, it was discovered that there are two photos that might depict this early period. Consequently, an investigation was conducted to determine if these two photos were indeed taken of the early Shoto-en. The research methodology involved comparative verification based on the text of the "Articles of visiting Shoto-en" written in 1899 and other old photographs. The results confirmed that the two photos were indeed taken of the early Shoto-en. Through the analysis of these two old photographs and related ones, it was revealed that the early Shoto-en had a small gazebo where one person could sit. This gazebo was passed down and continued to exist in Shoto-en during the time of Tomoharu, the 14th generation of the Tachibana family, until the late Taisho era. Moreover, details previously undisclosed, such as the expansion of the pond, were clarified, including the significant enlargement of the north side of the pond when Tomoharu, the 14th generation of the Tachibana family, renovated Shoto-en.
