Nov 29, 2010: Royal House Haikyo

[xoxoxoBruce]

You've probably seen websites showing what urban explorers find in their abandoned building adventures.
Japan has these adventurers also, and they call their targets haikyo, although I don't know if that only applies to former homes, or all abandoned buildings.
This one is called The Royal House Haikyo, but not because any royalty lived there... not in person anyway.
The house is remarkably complete, with expensive furniture, fine art, personal effects, and normal household crap.

It’s not clear who did live at this Western-style house. Its distinctive green, orange and white exterior, use of stone and attractive balcony area are very different from the typical Japanese-style house.

Most unusual is this photograph of the royal family, complete with chrysanthemum seal.

In pre-WWII Japan, the Emperor was still revered as a living deity and to look upon him was thought of as an immense privilege. Distribution of the Imperial Family Portraits was not compulsory and schools had to petition to the Ministry in order to receive one, which was usually granted on grounds of academic excellence. Because the official portraits were on loan from the Imperial Household Ministry, protecting the picture from harm was deemed of utmost importance. Having the picture lost or damaged, even from natural disasters like fires or earthquakes, was seen as such a serious failure of duty that there were incidents of school officials committing suicide in an act of repentance.
It was also said that looking at the Emperor directly in the eyes would result in punishment of blindness, so students were told not to stare at the picture and it was kept behind curtains except on occasions where the school would open them to pay respects to the Imperial Family.

Distribution of the portraits began in 1874 and by 1920 shrines known as 奉安殿 (ほうあんでん) were built in many places to better preserve the portraits and prevent people dying in attempts to protect them from damage.

After Japan’s defeat, the Imperial Family Portraits were withdrawn in order to be replaced with a new version. But a new portrait was never re-issued to schools.

In my opinion then, this could mean one of two things. Either this Imperial Family Portrait was taken from a school and brought here for safety, or the portrait was issued to this family directly. All of this before the Imperial Family Portraits were withdrawn in 1946. Judging by the nature of the house, the abundance of expensive-looking items (3 televisions!), a huge collection of photographs of Imperial Family members and the following curious black box containing scrolls and bearing the Imperial mark, I would say there is a good possibility that this place was indeed special and worthy of the nickname ‘Royal House’.

This guy was also in a moral quandary;
Should he keep it a complete secret?
Just not reveal the location so it won't be robbed and vandalized?
Report it to authorities/museums so the historical stuff can be preserved?
The forest will reclaim the entire house in a couple years, so what would you do?

link

[Gravdigr]

All I can think of is how this would have been torn all to hell in very short order here in America.

[ToastyOhs]

I have seen those websites you mention.

This building is curiously absent of the spray painted outlines of man parts.

[Sundae]

I honestly think the items should be preserved.
As a discovery it is beautiful in its natural habitat, but by it's very nature impossible to secure.

Take the bits & pieces away and let nature take its course.
Also, more investigation would surely solve the mystery - someone, somewhere must know these people/ this family?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

All I can think of is how this would have been torn all to hell in very short order here in America.

From what he wrote at the link, it would be over there also, if it were discovered. Evidently it's remote and well hidden.

Originally Posted by ToastyOhs

I have seen those websites you mention.

This building is curiously absent of the spray painted outlines of man parts.

I don't know what gotten into kids today, back in my day when we had to walk uphill to school, both wa...
well anyway, our graffiti was lady parts. Of course we were hetero boys, or at least faking it.

Maybe graffiti has been usurped by queers and girls. Well not usurped, because the boys haven't quit.

Oh, I've got it... the practice has expanded to encompass a larger base. Yeah, that's it, a melding of all youths, all sexes, colors, and creeds, coming together in one large bad habit! KUMBAYA!

[lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

All I can think of is how this would have been torn all to hell in very short order here in America.

It would be all torn to hell in very short order in just about any nation on earth, including Japan. Criminals, vandals, squatters, and homeless drug addicts are definitely not a uniquely American class of people. This home must be in a very remote location and not easily accessible.

[Adak]

My speculation is that this families living members, were all killed in the course of WWII - perhaps a son or two lost in the Pacific or Asiatic fighting, and the parents passing away while visiting friends in Tokyo, Hiroshima, or Nagasaki.

Because of the massive casualties from the fire storms (which killed more than either atomic bomb), and the A-bomb attacks, their deaths were not able to be recorded, by a name.

The home doesn't seem anything special (unusual in Japan, but common elsewhere). Obviously, land records should have the former owners names, and the entire contents, home and land, should be given to the families next of kin, if they can be found. If not, the artifacts of note should be donated to a museum.

It's surprising that the county/prefect tax collectors office has not checked into this. Surely their job is to eventually return the land to the tax rolls.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I was thinking along the same time-line, until he said there was three television sets in the house.

[glatt]

Considering one of the pictures show that an attempt has been made to board it up using modern materials, I think the owners know the house is here and are trying to keep trespassers out.

[SPUCK]

Wait till the scumbags see that copper...

[xoxoxoBruce]

When I put up copper gutters and downspouts, I was really paranoid until the turned brown and blended in.