Osaka citizen is familiar with cherry
blossom viewing through a long avenue of
the Mint. There is an old main gate, located in the course of the avenue, with old fashioned, eight cornered guard posts of brick on either side, which was constructed in the 4th year of Meiji with the foundation of Zouheiryo (the first Mint Bureau). We used to see the front entrance of stone standing with beautiful pillars in the distance through the old main gate, which is now moved and used as that of the Youth Art Gallery. Senpukan Hall was constructed as the Mint Bureau's reception hall. This was Japan's first two-storied building in a real western style, which has a classical colonial type. Senpu means currency. Kan means hall derived from the Chinese book of history "Shiki". It was completed by Japanese under the design and direction of an Englishman and was made of stones produced in Japan except for bricks. It was transferred under the control of Osaka City in the 6th year of Taisho. |
|||||||||
|
to the top page of The Nakanoshima・Tsurumi Course |