About the East and North Gates and Fence
The Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence (椛島家住宅東門・北門及び塀, Kabashima-ke Jūtaku Higashimon, Kitamon oyobi Hei) in Nijotanaka, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, are 2 gates and a fence of the late Meiji period (1898 to 1912), registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on May 2, 2017.
The fence runs north from the northeast corner of the koin barn to mark the east edge of the grounds, with the east gate partway along and the north gate at its far end. The east gate is 1.8 meters wide, the north gate 2.0 meters, and the fence 32 meters long in total, the longest of the estate's fences. The register number is 40-0146.
Two Bracket-Arm Gates
Both gates of the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence are Udekimon, gates whose roofs rest on arms projecting from the posts, with gabled pantile roofs (Kirizuma-zukuri, Sangawara-buki) and board doors opening inward. Where the south gate at the front is a formal Yakuimon, these take the simpler form.
Because a single registration covers both gates, the owners count the estate's buildings as 8 registrations and 9 structures.
A Fence That Changes Along Its Length
The fence of the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence is plastered in lime (Shikkui) inside and out, but its finish changes as it goes. The southern stretch, facing the forecourt, has a small wicket door and lattice panels; the northern stretch is clad on the outside with sasarako shitami, overlapping clapboards (Shitami-itabari) held by battens notched to fit each step of the boards.
Lattice keeps the public side light; boards protect the walls at the back. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the fence as designed in harmony with the koin, and it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
Seeing the East and North Gates and Fence
On open days the southern part of the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence, with its wicket and lattice, can be seen from the forecourt, along with the point where it meets the barn.
The clapboarded northern stretch and the north gate lie at the back of the estate, and how close you can get depends on the route set for each open day.
Q&A
- Where are the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence?
- Along the east edge of the grounds, running north from the northeast corner of the koin barn, with the east gate partway along and the north gate at the end.
- What kind of gates are the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates?
- Both are bracket-arm (udekimon) gates with gabled pantile roofs and inward-opening board doors. The east gate is 1.8 meters wide and the north gate 2.0 meters.
- How long is the fence of the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence?
- 32 meters in total, the longest fence on the estate.
- How is the fence of the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence finished?
- Plastered inside and out, with a wicket door and lattice to the south and notched-batten clapboards on the outside to the north.
- When were the Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence registered?
- On May 2, 2017. They were built in the late Meiji period (1898 to 1912).
Basic Information
| Name | Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence (椛島家住宅東門・北門及び塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 101 Otsuka, Nijotanaka, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building), register no. 40-0146 |
| Year Designated | Registered May 2, 2017 |
| Quantity | 1 building (east gate, north gate and fence) |
| Dimensions | East gate: timber, tiled roof, width 1.8 meters / North gate: timber, tiled roof, width 2.0 meters / Fence: timber, tiled roof, total length 32 meters |
| Owner | Kabashima family (private) |
| Public Access | Not open daily; opened during exhibitions held mainly in spring and autumn |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: Kabashima Family Residence East and North Gates and Fence (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00011593
- Registered Tangible Cultural Property: Kabashima Family Residence (Itoshima City, in Japanese)
- https://www.city.itoshima.lg.jp/s033/010/020/010/190/20181004152257.html
- Registered Buildings (Kabashima Family Residence official site, in Japanese)
- https://kabashimake.com/buildings/
Last verified: 2026.09.27
