Yūbikan

Yūbikan
有備館
Yūbikan in October 2008
General information
Architectural style Shoin-zukuri
Location Ōsaki, Miyagi], Japan
Country Japan
Coordinates 38°39′27″N 140°51′49″E / 38.65750°N 140.86361°E / 38.65750; 140.86361
Inaugurated 1677
Owner city of Ōsaki
Website
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The Yūbikan (有備館) is an Edo period structure located in what is now the city of Ōsaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. It served as a han school for the Date clan of Sendai Domain, and is the oldest existing educational structure in Japan. The building, together with its surrounding gardens are a nationally designated Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty.[1]

The main structure of the Yūbikan was constructed in 1633, originally within the second bailey of Iwadeyama Castle by the second generation head of the Iwadeyama-branch of the Date clan, Date Munetoshi. Intended to serve as the domain’s academy, it was named Shungakukan (春学館) at that time. It was relocated to its present location in 1677 by the third-generation head, Date Toshichika and was renamed ‘'Yūbikan at that time.

The building is in the Shoin-zukuri style of architecture, with plain wooden walls and a thatched roof.[2]

The gardens were constructed by the Date clan’s tea master Shimizu Dokan, under the fourth generation head, Date Murayasu in 1715. The garden employs the backdrop of the ruins of Iwadeyama Castle for borrowing of scenery ("shakkei").[3]

The Yūbikan and its gardens remained property of the Date clan until 1970, when it was donated to the town of Iwadeyama, which later became part of the city of Ōsaki.[4]

The Yūbikan main structure was severely damaged in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake during which 30 of its 33 supporting columns were damaged, causing the roof to collapse. Landslides also damaged parts of the gardens The building and its gardens were repaired and reopened to the public in 2016.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "旧有備館および庭園". Agency for Cultural Affairs. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "Cultural Property in Miyagi". Miyagi Prefectural Government. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "Yūbikan - Gardens". Miyagi Prefecture. Retrieved 8 August 2017. (in Japanese)
  4. 1 2 "Miyagi Prefecture - Monuments". Ōsaki City. Retrieved 8 August 2017. (in Japanese)
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