What Is the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate?
The Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate (南久保田家住宅裏門, Minami-Kubota-ke Jūtaku Uramon) is a gate building of around 1915 southwest of the main house on the Minamikubota estate in Fukunaga, Yoshii-cho, Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and it became a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 23 February 2012. A single-storey timber structure of 11 square meters, it is the smallest of the eight registered buildings.
It stands next to the agricultural warehouse on its east side, with its ridge running east to west. The Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate measures 5.2 by 2.1 meters.
Small but Soundly Built
The Agency for Cultural Affairs calls the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate a small but solidly built rear gate. It was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
Though it is called a gate, it is really a narrow building 5.2 meters long with a gateway cut into part of its south side. The rest of that side is wall, finished in plaster and vertical boards.
It dates from around 1915, like the main house and the lumber shed and side gate on the southeast side. The side gate at the front and the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate at the back were both set up while the main house was being built.
Double Board Doors
The Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate has a gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof of Sangawara-buki pantiles. The gateway sits toward the east end of the south side and is closed by a pair of hinged board doors. The walls combine white Shikkui plaster with vertical boarding (Tateita-bari).
The agricultural warehouse next door has a south lean-to built for access from outside the estate. With the rear gate in the same row, the southwest corner seems to have been where farm workers and goods came and went.
Visiting
The Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate is an entrance to a private home and is not open to the public, so visitors cannot pass through it. We could not confirm how much of it can be seen from outside. Please do not enter the grounds.
Q&A
- When was the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate built?
- Around 1915, at about the same time as the main house.
- Where is the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate?
- Southwest of the main house, next to the agricultural warehouse on its east side, with its ridge running east to west.
- What does the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate look like?
- It is a narrow building of 5.2 by 2.1 meters with a gateway toward the east end of its south side, closed by a pair of board doors.
- When did the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate become a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- On 23 February 2012. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as a small but solidly built rear gate.
- Can I visit the Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate?
- It is an entrance to a private home and is not open to the public.
Basic Information
| Name | Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate (南久保田家住宅裏門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 160-2 Yashiki, Fukunaga, Yoshii-cho, Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 23 February 2012 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 5.2 m by 2.1 m, single-storey timber, tiled roof, building area 11 square meters |
| Owner | Private |
| Public Access | Closed to the public |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs, in Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009235
- Cultural Heritage Online: Minamikubota Family Residence Rear Gate (Agency for Cultural Affairs, in Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/199568
- Minamikubota Family Residence (Ukiha City, in Japanese)
- https://www.city.ukiha.fukuoka.jp/kiji0035115/index.html
- Minamikubota Family Residence (ukihalove.jp, Ukiha City tourism site, in Japanese)
- https://ukihalove.jp/contents/minamikubotakejyuutaku/
Last verified: 2026.09.28
