Tannaker's Japanese Village

Programme for Tannaker's Japanese Village, Albert Gate, Hyde Park. the programme includes a topographical description of the village and programme of the amusements there. Tannaker Buhicrosan, a merchant of Japanese descent, opened his Japanese Village in Hyde Park in 1885. The craze for Japanese art and design was at its height and a quarter of a million people visited during the first few months. The village consisted of a street of shops and houses built by Japanese workmen from traditional materials, set against a painted backdrop. There was also a Japanese garden and a Buddhist temple. Those who drew inspiration from the replica village included the artist and designer Christopher Dresser and the librettist W.S. Gilbert, who wrote the 'Mikado' shortly afterwards.