Exploration of the old Yodoyabashi shop of Mizuno
The old Yodoyabashi shop of Mizuno was the 7th※1 skyscraper built in Osaka and was completed in 1927. Rihachi Mizuno (1884 - 1970), the founder established Mizuno Brothers, Ltd. in 1906 with the goal of building a 100 shaku-tall building, which is about 30 meters high as proof of the Mizuno family’s restoration since they suffered from Nobi Earthquake (1891). However, he deliberately constructed a 98 shaku and 8 sun-tall building, which is about 29.94 meters high with a sense of self-discipline thinking “I should not feel relief just because I accomplished my personal debts. I still have a much bigger social responsibility (development of sports industry)”.
※1 from “スポーツは陸から海から大空へ～水野利八物語～ (Sports are from land and sea to the sky -Story of Rihachi Mizuno-)” (1973, published by BASEBALL MAGAZINE SHA)
This seems to be the first compound building owned by a Japanese sports goods manufacturer which functioned as both a shop and headquarters. In addition, there were cafeterias on the 7th and 8th floor, which means that this was a building influenced by the architecture of department stores that are a symbol of a space which puts the customers first.
It was probably the most popular spot when it was built. Many of the shops at that time were two-story buildings which are similar to machiya, Japanese traditional wooden townhouses. It was common that the 1st floor was used as a shop and the back of the shop was used by its owner as their home and the 2nd floor was an office space for an account room and reception room for good clients and such. It was also rare that you could go to the rooftop since it was constructed with reinforced concrete. We can guess that the employees and customers used to enjoy the view of the Tenjin Festival and scenery from up there.
The old Yodoyabashi shop of Mizuno had been the symbol of Rihachi Mizuno’s management ideology for nearly 100 years as sports culture has been developing. However, due to the Yodoyabashi Station west ward type 1 urban redevelopment project, the shop was closed on June 30, 2021. Let’s explore the old Yodoyabashi shop of Mizuno, which had to be sadly closed.
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At the entrance part of the tower, there is a big semi-circular arch, and three-strand semi-circular arches of the window are positioned above it. Consecutive arches like this are a decoration typical to the Romanesque design style.
Rooftop
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At the stairs on the north side, there is a stairwell which you may see in foreign movies, and the stairs are set to surround it. This is a style called a winder staircase, which is designed this way so that people who go up and down the stairs can enjoy the space.
North side
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The south side of the building was added after the building was first finished. The window which was set on the original outer wall on the south side when the building was first completed is buried under an iron plate, and the outer part was also flattened with concrete.
South side
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Both pillars and joists were installed at much narrower intervals than usual. This is probably because it was designed right after the Great Kanto Earthquake and they carefully considered seismic resistance.
Pillars and ceiling joists
About architecture in the 1920’s
What is different from now is, although cost was an issue to be considered, it was not a top priority in constructing reinforced concrete buildings when the old Yodoyabashi shop of Mizuno was being constructed. Since reinforced concrete buildings were designed based on the idea that they would keep standing at the same spot for as long as 100 or 200 years, design and aesthetics are prioritized even by using costly time-consuming methods. Actually, in Europe, numerous concrete reinforced buildings lasting for 100 years or longer still exist, which led us to the conclusion that the idea was correct.
Location
4-1-23 Kitahama, Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Architect
Mr. Akinori Okabe (graduate from Tokushima Technical School)Building examples: Kyomachi Building in Osaka, Tezukayama Gakuin, Dotonbori Kadoza and Yurakuza
Contractor
Takenaka Corporation
At the time of construction
1927
Site area
272tsubo(approximately 899㎡)
Building area
144tsubo(approximately 476㎡)
Total floor space
1212tsubo(approximately 4,006㎡)
Number of floors
Eight stories above ground and 1 below
- Editorial supervision Tomoo Kawashima
- Doctor of Philosophy and first-class architect. His specialty is the history of Japan's modern architecture, and he received a doctoral degree in the history of elementary school architecture.