The Alaska Palace in Tokyo
Japan has had a significant influence on the West for the past centuries. “Japonisme”, which refers to the influence of Japanese style and culture, played a key role in shaping the art and design of western Europe in the 19th century. Nowadays, Japanese innovations such as packaging or ramps adapted to the height of various people in the subway are considered very attractive by Western populations.
However, one must not forget that influence is a two sided process. While Japan has left its mark in Europe, Western culture had also influenced the Japanese.
The Alaska Palace, a 50 hectare property located in central Tokyo and built 109 years ago, is home to members of the imperial family. Its neo-baroque style makes it unique in Japan. Many argue that its exterior resembles Buckingham palace while the interior is draws from Versailles. It also has similarities with the Louvre in Paris and the New Palace in Vienna.
What I find most interesting is that this European looking building still maintains its Eastern identity. It blends both Japanese features such as Samurai armours and phoenix birds to Western features with chariots, violins and lions. This Western style palace indeed has gold leaf decorated banquet and ballrooms, velvet curtains, ceiling paintings and chandeliers with black and white checker marble also found in Versailles. It however still maintains a traditional Japanese setting with a Japanese style annex, Kyoto gardens and Bonsai trees.
Drawing from another culture’s style does not equate with giving up one’s national identity.
Sources and images from:
https://celiaintokyo.wordpress.com/2018/06/29/akasaka-palace-the-versailles-of-tokyo/https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_d%27Akasaka#/media/Fichier:2019_Akasaka_Palace_02.jpghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japonisme
