Matabei (former Sakagami Family Residence)

Matabei (Former Sakagami Residence): A Hidden Treasure of Gassho-Zukuri Architecture at Atsuta Shrine

Tucked within the serene, wooded grounds of Atsuta Shrine — one of Japan's most revered Shinto sanctuaries — stands a remarkably unassuming structure that carries centuries of history within its timeworn timbers. Known as Matabei (又兵衛), the former Sakagami family residence is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan and one of the oldest surviving examples of the celebrated gassho-zukuri architectural tradition. Originally built in the mountains of the Hida region in present-day Gifu Prefecture during the early Edo period (circa 1661–1750), this farmhouse has been carefully relocated twice and now serves as an atmospheric teahouse on the grounds of this prestigious shrine in Nagoya.

What Is Gassho-Zukuri Architecture?

The term gassho-zukuri literally means "constructed like hands in prayer," referring to the steeply pitched thatched roofs that characterize this building style. Developed in the heavy snowfall regions of central Japan — particularly the Hida and Shirakawa-go areas — these roofs were designed to shed deep winter snow and create spacious upper floors for activities such as silk cultivation. The villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, where clusters of gassho-zukuri houses still stand, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Matabei at Atsuta Shrine represents an even earlier phase of this architectural tradition. Architectural scholars consider it a prototype of the gassho-zukuri form, making it an invaluable resource for understanding how this distinctive building style originated and evolved over the centuries.

A Journey Through Time: The History of Matabei

The building takes its name from Sakagami Matabei, a wealthy farmer (gōnō) who owned the house in the village of Hosoe in the Yoshiki District of Hida Province, in what is now the city of Hida in Gifu Prefecture. According to local legend, the house was originally situated on the Sugō Plateau, approximately six kilometers further inland along the old Etchu East Highway, and was relocated to the Hosoe area during the Edo period.

In 1936, the renowned Nagoya-based industrialist and philanthropist Kamino Kinnosuke had the building carefully dismantled and transported to his estate, known as Sankeisō, in the Showa Ward of Nagoya. There it was reassembled as a teahouse and named "Matabei" in honor of its former owner. In 1957, Kamino generously donated the structure to Atsuta Shrine, where it was once again disassembled and reconstructed on the shrine grounds under the expert guidance of Professor Kido Hisashi of the Nagoya Institute of Technology, a leading authority on traditional Japanese architecture.

Both relocations were conducted with great care to preserve the original materials, and the building's ancient timbers remain in remarkably good condition. Further conservation work was carried out in 2001 and 2002, when the structure underwent a full dismantling repair. Additional renovations were completed in 2012 to ensure the continued preservation of this precious cultural heritage.

Why It Was Designated: Cultural Significance

On April 24, 2001, Matabei was officially registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan under the category of structures that are "difficult to reproduce." This designation recognizes the building's exceptional significance on multiple levels.

First, structural features such as the matsubashira — fork-shaped pillars crafted from thick oak branches — and columns finished with a hamaguri-ba (clamshell-edged) hand adze indicate extraordinary antiquity. The main hall, when restored to its original state, would have featured an earthen floor (doma), another marker of great age. Together, these features place Matabei among the very oldest surviving gassho-zukuri farmhouses in Japan.

Second, the two relocations supervised by Professor Kido Hisashi represent one of the earliest examples of folk house preservation through careful dismantling and reassembly — a practice that would later become an important method of cultural property conservation across Japan.

Architectural Highlights and Features

Matabei is a single-story wooden structure with a distinctive irimoya (hipped gable) thatched roof, currently covered with temporary steel sheeting for protection. The total building area is approximately 124 square meters. The floor plan follows the hiratsuki (broad-side entrance) hiroma-gata (great hall type) layout typical of traditional Hida farmhouses.

The interior is organized around a central great hall. On the lower side of the building are the Maya (stable area) and Niwa (kitchen/work area). The upper side features a Buddhist altar room flanked by the Dei (a formal guest room) at the front and the Chōda (bedroom) at the rear. Distinctive details reflecting the building's origins in a region of heavy snowfall include the "Hahozao" — vertical poles set into the gable — cedar bark ridge capping, and small holes in the corner pillars that were used to attach snow fences during winter.

Visiting Matabei Today

Today, Matabei serves as one of six teahouses within the expansive grounds of Atsuta Shrine. It is primarily used for the monthly tea ceremony (Tsukiji Kencha) held on the 15th of each month (except August), as well as various other tea gatherings, cultural events, and even intimate wedding receptions for up to 25 guests.

It is important to note that Matabei is generally not open to the public for casual viewing. However, visitors can admire its exterior — the magnificent thatched roofline and rustic timber construction — while exploring the shrine grounds. The building is located in the central area of the shrine compound, near the temizusha (purification fountain), just west of the main approach.

Participation in select tea ceremonies and cultural events may provide an opportunity to experience the interior of this remarkable building. Visitors interested in attending should check with the Atsuta Shrine office or the Atsuta Jingu Kaikan for event schedules and availability.

Exploring Atsuta Shrine and Its Surroundings

A visit to Matabei can be combined with a full exploration of Atsuta Shrine, which itself is one of Japan's most important Shinto sanctuaries. The shrine enshrines the legendary sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, and boasts over 1,900 years of history. Notable sights within the shrine grounds include the Nobunaga Wall, a protective barrier built by the famous warlord Oda Nobunaga in 1560; a thousand-year-old camphor tree; the Kusanagi-kan sword museum (opened 2021); and the Treasure Hall, which houses numerous National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.

After your shrine visit, consider stopping at Atsuta Hōraiken, the birthplace of Nagoya's celebrated hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice), located just outside the shrine's south gate. Nearby attractions include the Shirotori Garden, one of the Tokai region's largest Japanese gardens, and the historic Miyano Watashi, a former Tokaido highway ferry crossing point. From Nagoya, it is also possible to take a day trip to the Hida region and Shirakawa-go, the mountainous area where Matabei originally stood — offering a fascinating opportunity to see the building's architectural relatives in their original snowy highland setting.