Granite and Tokyo Tour Series 2025 No.4 Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery
Photographed under cloudy skies on September 11, 2025
Checking the Stone After a Century
I visited the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery in the outer gardens of Meiji Jingu Shrine to examine how the Mannari granite has maintained its appearance over the past 100 years. The pale pink facade (Mannari stone from Okayama Prefecture) covers the building's exterior, lending it dignity and elegance under Tokyo's cloudy skies.
A National Commemorative Architecture
The gallery was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Construction began in 1919 and, after a pause due to the Great Kanto Earthquake, it was completed in 1926. A central ~15 m (≈49 ft) dome anchors its stately, symmetrical composition—an architectural expression worthy of a national memorial.
How It Was Conceived
Funded through nationwide donations, the design blends Western monumentality with Japanese decorative sensibilities. The result is a distinctive commemorative building where stone, form, and purpose align.
History Told in Paintings
Inside are 80 large wall paintings—40 Nihonga and 40 Western paintings—that depict turning points such as the Restoration of Imperial Rule, the Peaceful Surrender of Edo, and the Formation of the Meiji Government. The building stands as a “monument in stone”, while the paintings serve as a visual record of Japan’s modernization.
Cleaning the Façade & the Strength of Stone
During my visit, scaffolding surrounded the exterior for what appeared to be high-pressure washing. Over time, driving rain, urban air, and vehicle exhaust darkened the surface. With the 100th anniversary in 2026 approaching, a major cleaning campaign seems to be underway.
Care Tips for Outdoor Granite
Our granite products—stone lanterns and Jizo statues—may show surface grime outdoors due to car exhaust fumes, rain, or accumulated dust. When that happens, pressure washing is recommended. Granite has a Mohs hardness of ~6.5, and stonemasons routinely use pressure washers on it.
Important: Do not pressure-wash sandstone; it is too fragile to withstand high pressure.
A Stone-Nerd’s Field Notes
This visit was part of a stone study, so I did not enter the exhibition rooms. Instead, I focused on observing the condition of the exterior. I was able to confirm that the Mannari Granite façade, built a century ago, has retained its robustness throughout the past 100 years. With the ongoing restoration work, the stone will surely regain its soft pink brilliance once again.
Seitoku Memorial Picture Gallery — Specs
| Name | Seitoku Memorial Picture Gallery (聖徳記念絵画館) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo (Meiji Jingu Gaien) |
| Structure | Reinforced concrete, 2 stories |
| Groundbreaking | 1919 |
| Completion | 1926 |
| Gross Floor Area | Approx. 4,700 m² (≈ 50,590 sq ft) |
| Building Dimensions | East–West: ≈ 112 m (≈ 367 ft) × North–South: ≈ 34 m (≈ 112 ft) |
| Height | ≈ 32 m (≈ 105 ft, to dome top) |
| Dome Diameter | ≈ 15 m (≈ 49 ft) |
| Exterior Stone | Mannari Granite (pale pink granite from Okayama, Japan) |
| Interior Finishes | Domestic marble and tiles; parquet & marble/mosaic floors (selected areas) |
| Wall Paintings | 80 total (40 Nihonga + 40 Western) |
| Panel Size | Approx. 3 m (H) (≈ 9.8 ft) × 2.5–2.7 m (W) (≈ 8.2–8.9 ft) |
| Purpose | National commemorative facility honoring Emperor Meiji & Empress Shoken |
| Status / Designation | Selected Historical Building of Tokyo; National Important Cultural Property |
Quarry visit report 2025 No.3 Okayama Mannari Stone