Wright completed drawings for a new Japanese prime minister's residence in 1922. The manse, finished in 1928, bears a striking resemblance to this design.

But the architect of record is Muraji Shimomoto, who worked for the Finance Ministry. And the building's interior had much more in common with the Imperial Hotel — which he openly admired — than with any of Wright's residential designs.

Shimomoto had graduated with Arata Endo from the Imperial University, and perhaps sought his advice on the completed design. One Japanese prime minister, at least, insisted that the design was Wright's. The residence was renovated and moved in 2003, to accommodate a much larger, modern building.   (KS)