Album The Decoration of the Palace Buildings in Beijing

This album gives a richly illustrated account of the decoration of imperial buildings in Beijing. It was created on the basis of research conducted in 1901 by the College of Civil Engineering of the Imperial College of Tokyo (now Tokyo University ) with the assistance of the Imperial Museum of Tokyo (now Tokyo National Museum). The report was written in 1902 by expedition member Okuyama Tsunegoro 奥山 恒五郎. It was published in the form of an illustrated album in December 1906 by expedition photographer Ogawa Kazumasa 小川 一眞 (1860–1929) in collaboration with the College of Civil Engineering.

The preface is followed by a report in English and Japanese that discusses ornamental patterns and the use of colours. In the conclusion, the author lists the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese architectural decoration. This is followed by 80 numbered insert pages (unbound) with sketches of decorative elements and colour studies of details and entire buildings. The album was published in an edition of 1000 copies. Skušek’s copy is number 157 and is complete.

The album is stored in a wooden box. The front cover is covered with embroidered brocade. Chrysanthemums (the emperor’s symbol) are depicted on a dark brown background, and the woven ornament in the centre features two dragons, the sea, and clouds. Each sheet of sketches and drawings is secured with silk paper. On the inside of the front cover and the base of the box is a handwritten note “von Strauch – Beijing”, which probably refers to the original owner of the album. (MV)