Hidden story in Kobe Kazamidori, Weather Cock

The architectural designer of this old house called "Kazamidori no Yakata" meaning a weather cock is German George delalande and construction was performed while the Meiji period 1907. The original owner of this house was Thomas Gottfried, also a German trading marchant from Yokohama. George Delalande had his designing office in Yokohama at that time and also his designed houses were almost lost now in Japan except Kazamidori and another one. But not a few designing by him remains in Europe even now. The external wall looks like made by piled bricks, but actually not. Thinner brick pieces were adheaded on the flat surface pretending brick construction, this kind of tricks are observed everywhere also in the house. For example, the lighting equipment from the ceiling can be pulled down to the table for reading book, lack of light source at night was Physically compensated in this manner. We can see his warm and kind care for his daughter Eliza, who would be a greatest assistance later for the recent reconstruction of the house in completely original condition. As is often the case, a name plate "Rhenania" is exhibited on the upper frame of the gate, it is the German small city situating 200 kiro-meter to the West Southern Western direction from Hamburg where Mr. Godfreet lived. So, the plate here takes in connections. The first entrance is made in Chinese style because almost of the customers were overseas Chinese, and so decorated as with hospitality. This is why the Chinese style is invited in the design for the entrance. Even casually placed chairs and table have some beautiful historical story about the passion of the related peoples torn by the WW-Ⅰthrough a long distance between Imperial Japan and German Empire. A former servant took it out of the seized house and sent it to Germany voluntarily, though it was not desired. In spite of danger to be caught by the Authority, it's a good proof of deeper relationships between them.