Official
Appreciate "Art Deco" at Mitsukoshimae Station
It's moss.
Have you ever heard of such a story about Mitsukoshimae Station?
"In place of changing the station name to Mitsukoshimae Station, Mitsukoshi paid all construction costs."
In fact, there is no clear evidence left, and it seems that "There seems to have been some promise but the truth is unknown", and it is still handed down like an urban legend.
However, it remains in the document that Mitsukoshi made the connecting passage connecting the ticket gate of the station and the basement of Mitsukoshi at the expense.
There are some remnants at the time of the construction of the station in the connecting passage, but what I would like to introduce this time can be seen a little more than usual.
Art Deco decoration left in the connecting passage
When you exit the ticket gate for Mitsukoshi on the Ginza Line, you can see some old metal decorations when you look up a little above.
Actually, this decoration, at the time of the opening of Mitsukoshimae Station in 1932, what was installed as lighting decoration remains.
It features a combination of straight lines and curves, but the design that symbolically arranges this geometric shape is known as the style called "Art Déco".
Art Deco became popular in Europe and the United States from 1910 to 1930, and it seems that a little inorganic feeling that was never before was received coolly.
It was brought to Japan in the early Showa era, and now the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (formerly Asakamiya House), Isetan Shinjuku Main Store, Kanagawa Prefectural Government Building, etc. remain as representative art deco buildings.
A similar material decoration can be seen at the top of the 10 pillars lined up in front of the connecting passage (Dream Road) to the Hanzomon Line.
The geometric patterns with curves and diamonds in alternately assembled triangles and flower decorations create luxuriousness.
Only these two types of Art Deco decorations at the time remaining on the connecting passage of Mitsukoshimae Station were found.
For many other ornaments were recovered from the metal supplies of Pacific War.
Speaking of Mitsukoshi's metal offering, the lion statue at the front entrance of the main building and the episode of the first escalator in Japan as a commercial facility are famous, but the gorgeous metal ornaments were also the target.
Also pay attention to the decorative designer Rene Pruo.
▲Restored Orient Express wagon (from Wikimedia Commons)
The design of Mitsukoshi's Art Deco ornaments was a Frenchman named Rene Prou, who was a leading figure in the French decorative world.
He is good at interior design that pursues luxury, such as luxury cruise ships and sleeper limited express trains, and is also in charge of interior design for that famous Orient Express.
It is said that Mitsukoshi sent two employees to France to facilitate smooth communication.
The biggest job in Puru's Mitsukoshi is the interior design of the special dining room and rest room. In addition to door and wall decorations, most of them are created with original designs, ranging from metal decorations on ventilation openings.
Even today, the special dining room on the 7th floor of Mitsukoshi still retains some of the art deco decorations from the time when metal was spared.
Mitsukoshimae Station is full of attractions!
This time, I introduced some of the parts of Mitsukoshimae Station that are not attracting much attention, but there are many other highlights of this station.
The correspondent blog has been dug down from various perspectives, so I would be glad if everyone could be captivated by this station!
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