30th Anniversary Commemorative Project of the JCI Kinki Chapter: Results of Investigation of Hyakusekisai, the Home Office of Sakuro TANABE-Its Historical Significance-
By I. Kishimoto
Concrete Journal, Vol.63, No.10, Oct. 2025
- Synopsis
- As part of its 30th anniversary commemorative project, the JCI Kinki Chapter conducted an investigation of Hyakusekisai, the home office of Sakuro TANABE, who is renowned for the construction of the Lake Biwa Canal. Hyakusekisai had been believed to be a reinforced concrete building constructed around 1917, and considered the oldest privately-owned building of its kind in Japan. However, the investigation revealed that the building was actually constructed in July 1915 and is a wooden structure reinforced with wire-lath concrete. It is now believed to be the oldest existing building of this kind at least within Kyoto Prefecture. This paper discusses the historical significance of Hyakusekisai in light of its early use of wire-lath concrete construction.
- Keywords:
- Hyakusekisai, Sakuro TANABE, Wire-lath concrete, Kawasaki-Gaho (Kawasaki Photo Review)
