Please ask for information at Culture Promotion Division (Bunka Shinko-ka)
(TEL :838-0188).
Founded in 1923 in Tamatsukuri, Osaka Seibo Jogakuin is a private school, with profound traditions and coverage of all the educational systems ranging from elementary school to junior college, currently located in two campuses in Mii-cho in Neyagawa City and Fukakusa in Kyoto City. The "E" shaped school building led through the main entrance from the main gate to the corridor is of two stories on the ground and lower ground floor one ( 3rd story was added on later) constructed in 1932 (the 7th year of Showa), when the school was moved to the present location. The religious house annexed at that time is now used as classrooms, a library and an office.
The designer of the building is a famous architect, Antonin Raymond (1898-1976). He was born in Czechoslovakia (present Czech Republic) and went to the United Stated after learning architecture in Prague to work under Frank Lloyd Wright, a master of modern architecture. He visited Japan in 1919 as a chief draftsman when Wright was engaged in the design of the old Imperial Hotel (Teikoku Hotel). Later he established his own architect office. There are a few other buildings of his work remaining in Japan such as the embassy of Russia, and Tokyo Golf Club. The building is basically designed with right angles and horizontal lines just as square boxes combined together and white walls without adopting fine decorations and shadowed finishes. That represents an essence of Japanese modern design called "beauty of white and right-angle" prevailing at that time.
It is really an appropriate building for girls' school with light and clean interiors considering the lighting effect.
[Location] Mii-cho
