Momenzo Chita (former Takeuchi Torao Shoten Cotton Storehouse)

A Cotton Merchant's Storehouse in Okada

Momenzo Chita (former Takeuchi Torao Shoten Cotton Storehouse) (木綿蔵ちた（旧竹内虎王商店木綿蔵）) is a storehouse built in the early Taisho period (1912 to 1918) by the cotton wholesaler Takeuchi Torao Shoten to store its goods, in Okada, Chita City, Aichi Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on April 25, 2014, under registration number 23-0394.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a two-storey dozo storehouse with a tiled roof and a building area of 84 square metres. Today it is the Teori no Sato Momenzo Chita, a facility where visitors can try weaving Chita cotton (Momenzo Chita).

Why It Was Registered

Momenzo Chita was registered as contributing to the historic landscape of the country. According to the Agency, it was built as a cotton wholesaler's warehouse: a two-storey dozo with a gabled tiled roof and a lean-to on the north front. The floor is raised high on stone foundations to keep out damp.

The walls are plastered, with a washed mortar finish on the lower front. There are two doorways, but both floors are single rooms. The Agency describes it as a remnant that conveys the heyday of Chita cotton, the local industry.

What to Look For

Notice the high floor and stone foundations designed to keep out damp, a sign of its purpose as a store for cotton cloth (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Compare the plastered walls with the washed mortar base on the front. At Momenzo Chita, the storehouse Takeuchi Torao built for cotton cloth is now used for hands-on weaving of Chita cotton.

Visiting

Momenzo Chita offers weaving experiences with Chita cotton and a weaving workshop for consultation and instruction (¥1,000 for two hours) (Momenzo Chita). Ask the facility about opening days and booking. The address is 9 Nakaya, Okada, Chita City (telephone and fax 0562-56-4722).