Seisonkaku Villa

Seisonkaku Villa is one of the most beautiful surviving samurai villas in Japan. In the last years of the Edo Period the building was commissioned by Maeda Nariyasu, the 13th Maeda lord, for his mother. It is located in the southwest corner of the Kenrokuen garden. The villa features expansive tatami mat rooms that can be found on the first and second floors. Seisonkaku is designated an Important National Cultural Asset for the various craftsmanship displayed in the structure. The guest chamber called “Ekken no Ma” displays openwork wood carvings of flowers and birds. When visitors enter the room they will understand the status of the Maeda Clan. The walkway known as the Horsetail Corridor is 20 meters long and has no support beams holding up the roof. This was done so that the view of the garden would not be impeded by the beams. Throughout the building there are displays of various articles that show the prominence and history of the Maeda Clan.