The Establishment and Spatial Composition of Meiji Era (1868-1910) Gardens in Tokyo

Abstract

This paper analyses residential gardens constructed during the Meiji period in Tokyo mainly by comparing to the topographic atlas of Tokyo during the Meiji period. The analysis focuses on the following aspects concerning the spatial structure of gardens.
(1) Topography, (2) Location and composition
The analysis clarifies the following findings.(1) Originated from Samurai (warriors) residences, topographic condition of residential gardens of Edo era have been inherited to those of the Meiji period quite frequently, although some were affected by land readjustment during the Meiji period that changed the lot pattern of the city of Edo. R2 Locations of sites are roughly classified into three types; 1. Sites along cliff lines, 2. Sites at the edge of tablelands, 3. Sites in flat plains
A number of gardens are recognized as those which fully utilize topographic characteristics (locality) of Tokyo, as they are characterized by such features as command of fine view (Type 1 and 2), introduction of ponds (Type 1) and so on.
(3) Most of the gardens commonly possess lawn grounds. This suggests that lawn garden (Shiba-Niwa) had played a core role in garden composition in those days.