Saho Hall

Saho Kaikan: A Graceful Early Shōwa Alumni Hall on the Campus of Nara Women's University

Nestled within the leafy campus of Nara Women's University, Saho Kaikan stands as one of the finest examples of early Shōwa-period wooden modern Japanese architecture in the ancient capital. Completed in 1928, this elegant two-story alumni hall was built to commemorate the wedding of Crown Prince Hirohito (later Emperor Shōwa) and has served as the headquarters of the Saho-kai alumni association for nearly a century. With its stately irimoya-style hip-and-gable roof, refined blend of Japanese and Western interior spaces, and intimate connection to the scenic Saho River, this Registered Tangible Cultural Property offers visitors a rare glimpse into the world of early twentieth-century women's higher education in Japan.

Historical Background

The story of Saho Kaikan is inseparable from the history of Nara Women's Higher Normal School (Nara Joshi Kōtō Shihan Gakkō), which was established in 1908 as Japan's second national women's higher normal school. The school's alumni association, known as the Saho-kai, was founded in 1914 by graduates of the first and second classes. The name "Saho" was taken from the historic district of Nara in which the campus is situated, a place long celebrated in classical Japanese poetry for the beauty of the Saho River and its cherry blossoms.

In 1924, to celebrate the imperial wedding of Crown Prince Hirohito, the Saho-kai conceived the idea of constructing a permanent alumni hall on the university grounds. The project was entrusted to Iwasaki Heitarō (1893–1984), a distinguished architect from Yoshino in Nara Prefecture who was well versed in both traditional Japanese and modern Western architectural styles. Construction was carried out by the Oda-gumi firm under master builder Oda Rikichi, and the hall was completed in September 1928. The entire construction cost of 26,683 yen and 20 sen was funded through donations from Saho-kai members and school faculty—a remarkable testament to the devotion of these women to their alma mater.

Why Was It Designated a Cultural Property?

In 2005, Saho Kaikan was officially registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building). The designation recognized the building as an important example of early Shōwa wooden modern architecture in the Japanese style. The official evaluation praised the hall for its skillful floor plan that harmoniously combines Japanese and Western rooms, its refined and dignified design, and its well-preserved original interior features. The building was further noted as a valuable representative of the distinctive Nara tradition of constructing modern wooden buildings with Japanese-style exteriors—a lineage that includes such celebrated landmarks as the former Nara Prefectural Library (1908) and the Nara Hotel (1909).

Beyond its architectural merit, Saho Kaikan holds significant historical value as the alumni hall of one of Japan's pioneering institutions of women's higher education. The building has served continuously as the headquarters of the Saho-kai since its completion, and its excellent state of preservation—retaining much of its original furnishings, hardware, and decorative details—makes it a precious document of early twentieth-century Japanese campus life.

Architectural Highlights and Attractions

Saho Kaikan is a two-story wooden structure with an imposing irimoya (hip-and-gable) roof covered in san-gawara (flat interlocking tiles). The building measures approximately 23.9 meters along the ridge and 12.1 meters in depth, with a total building area of 324 square meters. A formal carriage porch (kurumayose) with its own irimoya roof projects from the front western side, lending the entrance a dignified air.

Exterior

The exterior is executed in the shinkabe-zukuri (exposed-frame) technique, with white plastered walls above board-clad lower sections. Tall vertical sash windows line all four elevations, and decorative funabijiki (boat-shaped bracket arms) support the beams at the column tops. The overall composition bears a strong resemblance to the renowned Nara Hotel, particularly in the use of horizontal nageshi rails above and below the windows and the inoko-sasu (boar-truss) gable ornament.

First Floor: Japanese Rooms and Reception Spaces

Entering through the carriage porch, visitors pass through the entrance hall to reach the main corridor running east to west. To the south lies a magnificent pair of interconnected tatami rooms—a 12.5-mat room and a 10-mat room—furnished with a tokonoma alcove featuring a polished round post, staggered shelving (chigaidana), and an angled writing alcove (tsukeshoin). The ceilings feature elegant sarubō (monkey-cheek) construction, and bamboo-joint transoms (take-no-fushi ranma) add refined detail throughout.

A particularly notable feature is the sukashi-ranma (openwork transom) between the tatami room and the adjacent storage room, where four carved panels depict cherry blossoms and plum blossoms arranged in the flowing form of a river. This design is believed to represent the Saho River that runs behind the university campus and the cherry and plum trees planted along its banks—a poetic tribute to the natural setting that gives the alumni association its name.

Second Floor: The Grand Hall

Ascending the staircase, visitors are greeted by a staircase hall adorned with giboshi (onion-shaped finials) on the balustrade posts—a distinctly Japanese decorative touch. The second floor is dominated by a grand hall with an impressive oriagé gō-tenjō (raised coffered ceiling). Suspended from this ceiling are distinctive metal-shaded light fixtures featuring inome (boar's-eye) openwork patterns, believed to be original designs by architect Iwasaki Heitarō. The same heart-shaped openwork motif can be found on blackboards and other furnishings throughout the building, creating a unified decorative program.

2006–2007 Restoration

In 2006–2007, a major restoration and seismic reinforcement project was undertaken under the supervision of architect Ishii Tomoko, herself a graduate of Nara Women's University. The restoration used traditional construction methods and natural materials wherever possible, preserving the historical character of the building while ensuring its structural safety. The total cost of approximately 131.5 million yen was raised through donations from Saho-kai members and affiliated organizations.

Visitor Information

Saho Kaikan is located within the campus of Nara Women's University. The hall is available for use by groups whose activities align with its purposes: alumni fellowship, academic research in collaboration with the university, and cultural events contributing to the local community. General visitors interested in viewing the building should contact the Saho-kai office in advance to inquire about access and open days. The university's nearby Memorial Hall (Kinen-kan), a designated Important Cultural Property, is open for public viewing during scheduled periods, typically in autumn.

The campus of Nara Women's University is located just a five-minute walk north of Kintetsu Nara Station, making it an easy addition to any walking tour of the historic city. The area north of the station, known as "Nara Kitamachi," has emerged in recent years as a charming neighborhood of traditional townhouses, cafes, and craft shops—a quieter complement to the bustling tourist districts around Nara Park.

Surrounding Attractions

Saho Kaikan's location within central Nara places it within easy walking distance of some of Japan's most celebrated World Heritage sites and cultural landmarks. Visitors can combine a visit to the university campus with explorations of the following nearby destinations:

• Nara Women's University Memorial Hall (Kinen-kan) — An Important Cultural Property designed in the half-timbered style, located on the same campus just south of Saho Kaikan.
• Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha — One of Japan's most iconic temples, approximately a 15-minute walk east. The massive wooden Daibutsuden hall houses the world-famous bronze statue of Vairocana Buddha.
• Nara Park — Home to over a thousand free-roaming deer, expansive lawns, and ancient temple grounds, accessible within a 10-minute walk to the east.
• Kōfuku-ji Temple — A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring a five-story pagoda and a superb collection of Buddhist sculpture in its National Treasure Hall, about 10 minutes south on foot.
• Nara Kitamachi District — The charming old-town area immediately surrounding the university, with traditional machiya townhouses, independent cafes, and the historic Hanashiba and Higashimuki-kita shopping streets.
• Saho River Cherry Blossoms — The riverbank behind the university is a beloved local spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in spring, offering a serene alternative to the more crowded viewing spots in Nara Park.