KATAYAMA Tôkuma

片山東熊 (1854 – 1917)

One of Japan’s first modern architects, who significantly contributed to the introduction of Western architecture to Japan. He belonged to the first class of the department of architecture of the newly founded “Technical High School” in Tôkyô | 1854 born in Hagi | 1865 joins the kiheitai volunteer militia; participates in the Boshin War | 1879 graduates with TATSUNO Kingo and SONE Tatsuzo from the “Imperial College of Engineering” | 1881 participates in the construction of the villa for Prince Arisugawa, which had been commissioned to Josiah CONDER | 1882 visits Europe | 1886-87 travels to Germany to research the decoration of the Meiji Palace | 1889 promotes to the position of master craftsman at the “Imperial Household Ministry” | 1897 visits Europe and the United States | 1917 died