Kōbuntei is a traditional Japanese-style building located at the heart of Kairakuen Garden in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. It was personally designed by Tokugawa Nariaki, the ninth lord of the Mito Domain. Not only is it the symbolic structure of Kairakuen, but it also reflects a spatial philosophy that combines aesthetic elegance with practical function. The name “Kōbuntei” is derived from the poetic term for plum trees, kōbunmoku, symbolizing refinement and scholarship—echoing the garden’s abundant plum blossom theme.
According to legend, the plum trees in the court of Emperor Wu of Jin would respond to the scholarly spirit. When the emperor was diligent in his studies, the blossoms would bloom; if he neglected his studies, they would not. Thus, the plum came to symbolize a love of learning and was called kōbunmoku. This cultural significance influenced both the name and purpose of Kōbuntei, making it an ideal gathering place for scholars and artists to compose poetry and create art.
The building is two stories with three levels, connected on the north side to the Oku-Goten (Inner Palace), forming a unified structure when viewed from afar. Though not large, Kōbuntei reveals the designer’s refined taste and ingenuity in every detail, achieving a graceful balance between simplicity and sophistication. Inside are rooms named after plants such as pine, bamboo, plum, cherry, peach, chrysanthemum, and arrowroot. Each room features seasonal paintings on the walls and a table of rhyming tones to aid poets in composing verses. More than a viewing spot for plum blossoms, it served as a cultural center for the Mito Domain’s literary figures.
From the second floor, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Kairakuen and its tranquil, elegant landscape. The third-floor tower, Rakujūrō, offers an even broader view, with sights extending to Lake Senba and the Tazurunaki Plum Grove in the distance. Nearby, one can enjoy the colorful spectacle of white, red, and yellow plum blossoms in bloom. Tokugawa Nariaki would often host scholars, vassals, and intellectuals here for scenic poetry gatherings, creating many elegant episodes in Mito's cultural history.
In addition, Kōbuntei also served a defensive role as part of the western side of Mito Castle. Since that area was a weak point in the castle's defenses, the building’s structure incorporated defensive design elements.
However, Kōbuntei has also endured misfortunes. It was completely destroyed during the 1945 air raid on Mito (Shōwa 20) and was reconstructed over three years, completed in 1955. In 1969 (Shōwa 44), the Oku-Goten was damaged by lightning and restored again in 1972 (Shōwa 47). Today, visitors can stroll through the pavilion and imagine scenes of past poets composing verses, while admiring the unique rooms such as the Cherry Room, Plum Room, and Chrysanthemum Room—experiencing a cultural atmosphere where Edo-period elegance and architectural beauty blend in harmony.
