TOKYO — A former residence of the founder of Pioneer Corp. car electronics company in a quiet area of the capital is now serving as a place to nurture musical culture.
A rounded, arch-shaped door adds a sense of warmth to the simple wall surface as seen at the Matsumoto Memorial Music Guest House in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward, April 17, 2023. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.
Upon passing through the imposing gate, visitors are greeted by the Matsumoto Memorial Music Guest House in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward. This building, completed in 1973, was the private residence of Pioneer founder Nozomu Matsumoto.
In 1999, the property was donated to the Foundation for the Advancement of Music Appreciation, a public interest incorporated foundation. It opened in 2005 as a guest house equipped with music halls, a high-end audio listening facility and a tearoom. The venue began offering rentals on the condition that the surrounding serene environment be maintained.
The structure is a reinforced concrete building with two above-ground floors and one basement level. The double-height entrance hall features a skylight crafted from thinly cut marble. Chandeliers above the entrance and staircase, as tall as an adult, captivate with their lavishness. The second-floor music hall houses a pipe organ, serving as a space for fostering musical culture.
A tranquil garden is seen at the Matsumoto Memorial Music Guest House in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward, April 17, 2023. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.
In contrast to the extravagance of the interior, the workshop was a space for Matsumoto’s creative endeavors. Here, he developed the prototype for the “body sensation acoustic system,” which allows sound to be felt through bone conduction.
To the south lies a tranquil garden designated as a preserved forest area by Setagaya Ward. Tours are available on designated days.
(Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Department)
The workshop loved by Pioneer Corp. founder Nozomu Matsumoto is seen at his former residence, now serving as the Matsumoto Memorial Music Guest House, in Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward, April 17, 2023. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.
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The Japanese version of this article was originally published on May 28, 2023.
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This series explores Japan’s architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.
Retro Japan in Photos: Ex-residence of Pioneer founder in Tokyo serves as musical facility
AloJapan.com