A woman timidly crossing over the stepping stones in the Tonogayato Garden

Although it is not clear how much wealth Yataro Iwasaki, who founded the Mitsubishi Group, which is still a major corporate name today, amassed, a glance at the remaining assets is enough to show that it was considerable. For example, the former Iwasaki Residence Garden, now a garden owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, was the main residence of the Iwasaki family in Kayacho. Built by Hisaya, the third president of the Mitsubishi Corporation, the residence was elaborately designed down to the smallest detail, making it clear that this was no ordinary wealthy family. In addition to the main residence, a villa in Fukagawa became the Kiyosumi Garden, a villa in Komagome became the Rikugien Garden, and a collection of European literature on China became the Toyo Bunko. Seikado Bunko, which also houses national treasures, originally housed the Iwasaki family collection. The money must have been so rich that there was a buzz.

Although it is not as well known as the Kayacho Mansion, Fukagawa Mansion, and Komagome Mansion, Tonogayato Garden in Kokubunji, which I visited that day, is one of the residences that once belonged to the Iwasaki family. Among the Western-style residences and Sukiya-style tea rooms, the highlight of Tonogayato Garden is the Japanese garden. The garden is a circular forest garden built on terraced cliffs called the Kokubunji cliff line, taking advantage of the abundant spring water. Looking out from the teahouse, you can immediately see the cliff with a pond below. It feels like I am in a deep mountain valley, even though it is very close to Kokubunji Station. Looking into the pond, I saw a woman walking on a stepping stone.

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