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More information about "Senpukan"
The two-storied building surrounded by trees on the north side of National Route 1 is the Senpukan designated as an important cultural property in 1956. In 1871, the Senpukan was built as a reception hall for the Mint in those days of its founding. Adopting the classic Colonial English architecture and built entirely of brick, this building is one of the oldest European-style structures in Japan.
This building was designated and completed under the engineering supervision of English architect and engineer Thomas Waters, who was commissioned in 1868 to construct the Mint. After constructing the Mint, T.J. Waters also constructed an avenue of red brick buildings in the Ginza area in Tokyo.
The name of Senpukan derived from the following old proverb; "The money flows like gushing water from a fountain, " The term "KAN" means the same as "-ro" (tower), "takadono" (stately mansion),"-kan" (large building, hall) or "yakata" (mansion). The Emperor Meiji visited the Mint three times during his reign and stayed at this Senpukan on all such occasions.
Incidentally, the entrance of the Youth Art Gallery seen in the back of the Senpukan was removed from the vestibule of the Mint building and reconstructed as it was at the time of its founding.
