Osaka Mint Dormitory

Japanese: 大阪造幣寮 - おおさかぞうへいりょう

This was the Meiji government's coin minting facility. Construction was rushed due to external pressure following the currency confusion in the early Meiji period, and as a result it became the Meiji government's first large-scale Western-style building. Construction began in 1868 (Meiji 1) and it opened in 1871. The minting machinery was imported from Hong Kong via businessman Glover, and many construction materials were also sourced from overseas. The architectural design was by Waters. Parts of the building still remain as Senpukukan (the former reception room) and the entrance to Sakuranomiya Public Hall (the main entrance to the former foundry). Both are designated Important Cultural Properties. [Maruyama Shigeru]

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

明治政府の貨幣鋳造機関。明治初年の通貨混乱に対する外圧から建設が急がれたため，結果として明治政府最初の大規模西洋建築となった。1868年(明治1)着工，71年開業。鋳造機械は政商グラバーを介して香港より輸入，建設資材も多く外国に仰いだ。建築設計はウォートルス。遺構が一部，泉布観(旧応接所)，桜宮公会堂玄関(旧鋳造所正面玄関)として現存する。ともに重要文化財。【丸山茂】

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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