Former Kanjō School Auditorium
Basic Information
- Catalog ID: 102
- Item ID: 3053
- Category: Structures
- Country: Japan
- Period: Mid-Edo Period
- Date designated: November 14, 1953
- Prefecture: Okayama
- Location: Kanjō, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
- Owner: Okayama Prefecture
Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)
Overview
The Former Kanjō School Auditorium in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, is the central structure of the former Kanjō School—an institution founded during the Edo Period for the education of common people. Completed in 1701 (Genroku 14), it boasts the history of being one of the world’s oldest public school buildings dedicated to the populace. Due to its advanced architectural techniques and aesthetic beauty, it has been designated a National Treasure (kokuhō) as an artifact of critical importance to Japanese educational history.
Historical Background
The Kanjō School was established in 1670 (Kanbun 10) by Ikeda Mitsumasa, the domain lord of Okayama Province, with the goal of promoting local education. After Mitsumasa’s death, his successor, Ikeda Tsunamasa, entrusted the project to his vassal, Tsuda Nagonaka. The latter initiated a massive reconstruction into durable stone construction, ensuring that “the school would endure for generations.” This comprehensive renovation took place over approximately 30 years, starting in 1684 (Jōkyō 1). The current auditorium was completed during the Genroku 14 period. Since then, it has been carefully preserved as a hall of learning for more than three centuries.
Features and Appeal
The auditorium possesses a unique architectural beauty that seamlessly blends functionality with artistry.
- Bizen Ware Tiles: The roof utilizes approximately 25,000 tiles made from local Bizen ware, giving the structure a distinctive reddish-brown color that harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding natural landscape.
- Polished Lacquer Floorboards: The interior is an open space supported by ten thick cedar (keyaki) columns. The floorboards, finished with urushi (lacquer), shine like a mirror due to over 300 years of polishing. It is particularly famous for the beauty of its seasonal reflections, such as “floor green” or “floor autumn leaves,” which capture the view outside the windows.
- Stately Architectural Style: The hip-and-gable roof covered with shikoro (a specific type of tile) exudes a calm dignity. This double-layered roofing structure enhances structural stability and symbolizes the school’s pursuit of permanence.
- Ideal Educational Environment: The site is arranged to maintain a serene harmony as a center for education based on Confucian principles. Key elements include the auditorium, surrounding stone walls (sekihei), the Confucius Temple dedicated to Confucius, and a Sacred Shrine.