"Now the time to talk to Kawaji-kun."
Suga says cheerfully to Kawaji, considering it's a good place to quit the
details of the investigation.
Kawaji quenches his thirst with a cup of tea, and nods to his senior with
lively looks as if in his youth.
"I have actually thought that Kanematsu Auditorium was never built
with the hobby or something of Dr. Chuta Itoh. So, I appreciate this meeting
today."
 After the introduction,
"I understand Dr. Itoh was involved not only in the design but also
in the whole construction. The professor of Tokyo Imperial University noted
for the authority in the architectural world commuted diligently on a local
train far to the remote place at the cost of his busy time. It must have
taken two hours from Tokyo Station to Kunitachi Station at that time, and
the trains ran only several times a day. I cannot help thinking there was
something in himself."
Suga elderly nods and says.
"Like what I wrote in my make-believe story, wouldn't he have seen
his own figure in Mr. Sano's explanation after all? He decided to take
on it considering the desire of TCC as his own after enough understanding
of the intention and details. Though humorous apparently, Dr. Itoh had
a firm will, even noted as a man of iron."
"He also says such a thing like this."
Kawaji reads one of his memos.
 "When Foreign people compliment Nikko, Japanese people follow them,
and when they compliment Ise Shrine or Katsura-rikyu, they immediately
change their opinion to theirs. ... Such expressions can be found in his
theses."
"Yes, he has such a sharp tongue, too."
Suga makes an appropriate response and continues his talk.
"There seem to be some people who refer to any sense of rivalry in
Dr. Itoh's mind against Yasuda Auditorium built by Professor Shozo Uchida,
his colleague. On the contrary, I am sure he never had such an idea in
his motives. Dr. Itoh was a man irrelevant to such things. In fact, Hideto
Kishida, a joint designer with Prof. Uchida, respected Chuta Itoh as his
mentor and even wrote a critical biography "Architect Chuta Itoh."
Tsubune seems to agree completely with the two seniors.
"Didn't Dr. Itoh get impressed with the principle of Kanematsu Company
which donated the whole construction cost?"
For the question of Mari Nomizo barged into them, Kawaji answers.
"You are right, Mari-san. In addition, only the construction of the
auditorium in new Kunitachi Campus was parted from the Government control
because the owner would be Kanematsu by its donation as well as Kanematsu
left the entire work to him. The doctor himself must have been at ease
during the work. In his lecture at the completion he mentioned the noble
will of Mr. Fusajiro Kanematsu, a little flattering not like his usual
speech."
The senior smiles and adds.
"Before they succeeded in Dr. Itoh's acceptance, there must have been
certain dependable supports to break through the strict difficulties. Old
Shibusawa was highly influential as a matter of fact. One year just before
the doctor accepted this proposal, he left an interesting postcard of caricature
titled "Old Shibusawa weeps." It shows his friendly feeling and
respect. And one more important person, Old Okura. His favor was inevitable.
Those two great seniors used to work together to establish the Commercial
Law Institute, the starting point of Tokyo Commercial College. They worked
together to establish Imperial Hotel, Imperial Theater and Rokumeikan Hall
afterward. And then,
| Mr. Okura continued to support Chuta Itoh financially. When the plan to construct Kanematsu Auditorium came to Dr. Itoh, he was just designing three architectures requested by Mr. Okura: Okura Second House, Gion-kaku and Okura Museum at Toranomon, Tokyo, a part of which was under construction. |
"My guess from here. Take it as an inside story."
Suga seems to say to himself.
"TCC had a strong desire to decorate the Four-God Statues with the
school history in it as the school's righteous sign. So, with Kanematsu
Company it checked about whom it should ask to put the design of the auditorium,
a symbol of the campus. In the result, they reached a decision that there
was no other person than Dr. Chuta Itoh. Happily Old Mr. Okura was Dr.
Itoh's one of the greatest patrons with Kozui Otani, Chief of Jodo-Shinshu
Sect. Therefore Dr. Itoh was unable to reject the proposal of Old Okura
flatly. Besides, the friendship between Mr. Shibusawa and Mr. Okura had
been continuing for more than 50 years. Dr. Itoh already knew Mr. Shibusawa
through his patron. TCC, knowing it all along, pleaded with Mr. Shibusawa
for the matter. Mr. Shibusawa accepted the desire of the school of his
foundation and asked Mr. Okura to have a favor."
Junior Tsubune, not knowing, snatched the talk of his great senior.
"I know you say Old Okura strongly persuaded Dr. Itoh to take on the
construction of the auditorium asked by his sworn friend, accepting to
let the jobs related to him later for a while. Dr. Itoh, then an active
professor of TIU with little interest in TCC, must have motivated himself
to lend an ear to the construction project of Kanematsu Auditorium because
of Old Okura's earnest request."
"May I think all of you understand what is going on among us?"
Senior Suga goes ahead, making sure of their understanding.
"I believe that in this situation Dr. Itoh met president Sano in an
attempt to take on their project under certain circumstances. Sano told
him the historical school background related to the Four-God Statue in
detail with all his heart, and the doctor was moved. Sano's talk must have
been connected with the dream the doctor had been holding. Chuta came to
try himself thoroughly much more than to make effort for TCC. As long as
he decided, he would carry it through. With the most help of his reliable
pupil Kakuhei Matsui, he created the only auditorium, no others seen in
the world, with the Four-God Statues on the facade, by gathering all the
powers. The construction was done like borrowing the building in Romanesque
Style, under the idea of a 'hermit crab'."
Suga has confidence in his mild smile.
"A hermit crab, I see."
Kawaji grims complacently. Suga continues.
"Concerning Old Okura, the document says he was not able to see the
buildings of his request because he died in April of Showa 3 (1928), the
next year of the completion of Kanematsu Auditorium."
The two were his second house and Gion-kaku in Kyoto.
"How sad did TCC and Dr. Itoh feel at his death?"
In silence, Mutsumi Iwaida murmurs to herself.
After a moment, Tsubune talks in a muffled voice, idly looking up at the
open work panels.
"We must, in addition, not forget about the efforts of the people
of other fields, mustn't we? The encouraging backup of the important government
officials ..., actually Manager of Construction in Education Ministry is
a member of the construction. The support of Dr. Tatsukichi Minobe, professor
of TIU, is also a big help. He held the post of the professor of TCC concurrently
at that time. Like this way, I believe a number of hidden episodes will
come out to us. Wasn't it the result of such a lot of powers together?"
Midori Yamabe is busy taking a note. She then submitted the appropriate
documents got through Internet and has been absorbed in this investigation
work herself, too, besides her regular work. How many notebooks has she
spent since that summer day?
Suga seems to have had a breath, then he talks to himself.
"What I have pursued is why such strange Four-God statues are decorated
on the upper part of the facade and what they are talking to us about.
... I even moaned with their punch in a dream. The Four Gods are definately
appealing something and inspiring us. It may be the indomitable spirit
since the foundation of the Commercial Law Institute in Meiji 8 (1875)
and the pride as the guidepost in the economic world. President Sano must
have appealed this history to Dr. Itoh from his heart and soul, saying
that such traditions were entrusted to each of the Gods, Gembu, Suzaku,
Byakko and Seiryu. And therefore, Dr. Itoh was the only architect who was
able to build the auditorium under the banner of the Four Gods for ambitious
students holding the future of our country."
All the attendants are concentrating their reliable eyes to the elderly
senior.
"Dr. Itoh has a warm heart much more than anybody. He especially loves
youth. So, I am sure he accepted this project with the strong wish in his
heart."
"Youth! You are young, too."
Mari seriously makes fun of the elderly.
"As all of you know, Dr. Itoh told before the crowded guests in the
hall that he did it all his way in everything for the construction. I surely
believe it. It was not that he did it as he pleased, but that the thought
and action of the school coincided with the way of his life. He must have
felt to see himself in the mirror and come to like to express his true
feelings to the auditorium. I believe he did not have any idea of requesting
or being requested in his heart."
The talk of the senior to himself now has a high tone.
"The hall of our school was decided to be built in such a background,
making the most use of the Four-God Statues with the history since the
school foundation in it. The appearance and the structure were in Romanesque
Style, and the pattern relieves of Four Gods were decorated on the facade
in the original style. The interior was accomplished by Dr. Itoh's energies.
He made the original monsters of his own with all his strength, and decorated
all over the inside."
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