What Is the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse?
The Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse (小原家住宅米蔵, Obara-ke Jūtaku Komegura) is a two-storey Dozo-zukuri earthen-walled storehouse in Nanjo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture, built around 1845 and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 28 June 2017. It covers 20 square meters, and part of it was added around 1992.
It is the oldest of the six registered buildings on the Obara estate; by date of construction it is some 14 years older than the main house of about 1859. It stands southwest of the main house, facing east.
A Storehouse of 2.5 by 2 Ken
The Obara rice storehouse measures 2.5 ken (about 4.5 meters) along its length and 2 ken (about 3.6 meters) across, the ken being the traditional bay unit of Japanese carpentry. It has a Kirizuma-zukuri gabled roof laid with Sangawara-buki pantiles, and a lean-to Geya eave projects over the east front.
The door is set a little north of the center of that front. Windows appear only on the north wall, one on each floor; the east, south and west walls have none.
Through-Post and Sloping Beams
The interest of the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse lies in its roof framing. Half a ken in from the north wall, a single post rises through both floors to carry the Munagi ridge beam.
The roof is supported on Nobori-bari, beams that climb at an angle toward the ridge and leave more headroom on the upper floor. These are assembled in the orioki manner, with the beams resting directly on top of the posts. It is a small building, but the logic of its frame is easy to follow.
The rice storehouse was registered as number 12-0221 for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as one of the buildings that make up the layout of the estate.
Visiting
The Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse is privately owned and its interior, where the through-post and sloping beams are found, is not open.
The storehouse stands inside the lot, southwest of the main house and behind the gates on the southern boundary, so it is hard to see from the road. Please do not enter the private grounds.
Q&A
- When was the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse built?
- Around 1845, making it the oldest of the six registered buildings on the estate. It was extended around 1992.
- How large is the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse?
- 2.5 ken (about 4.5 meters) by 2 ken (about 3.6 meters), with a building area of 20 square meters.
- What is notable about the structure of the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse?
- A through-post set half a ken from the north wall carries the ridge beam, and the sloping roof beams rest directly on the posts in the orioki manner. Windows open only on the north side.
- When did the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse become a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- On 28 June 2017, as registration number 12-0221.
- Can visitors see the Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse?
- No. It is privately owned, the interior is closed, and it stands inside the lot where it is hard to see from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse (小原家住宅米蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 54 Nanjo, Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building), registration no. 12-0221 |
| Year Designated | Registered 28 June 2017 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey earthen-walled storehouse, tiled roof, building area 20 square meters |
| Owner | Private |
| Public Access | Not open to the public |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011641
- Cultural Heritage Online: Obara Family Residence Rice Storehouse (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/222747
- Obara Family Residence: Main House, Detached Wing, Rice Storehouse, Document Storehouse, Former Nagayamon Gate, Front Gate (Tateyama City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.tateyama.chiba.jp/syougaigaku/page100122.html
Last verified: 2026.09.28
