What shihōbuta-zukuri is
Shihōbuta-zukuri is a farmhouse form in which a lean-to runs round all four sides, so that the main roof appears to rest on it like a lid. The two tiers reading as one above the other give the form its Japanese name.
The Murao Residence in Kagawa Prefecture, built in 1842, is described as standing at the rear of its plot facing south, its date established from an inked inscription on a member within the roof space, Yosemune-zukuri under sheet metal with a tiled Geya carried round all four sides in what the entry calls this form, its perimeter altered but its frame well preserved, about 21 metres long, and the principal building of an old estate at the foot of the hills.
The main roof is sheet metal and the lean-to is tiled. Changing material between the tiers strengthens the impression of two layers.
The entry hedges the name, which indicates a term current in the region rather than a nationally recognised style. It belongs to the description of farmhouses in that district.
Its relation to the lean-to
A Geya is a lower roof thrown against the main building, usually on one or two faces. This form names the state in which it runs round all four.
Other regions do the same without using the term. The Tomita Residence Mokunansha in Aichi Prefecture, built in 1827, is described as Kirizuma-zukuri with a monitor on the ridge, the rear slope carried down to the lean-to, and a lean-to round all four sides, but the record does not use this name.
Three faces is also common. The Fukuda Residence in Kochi Prefecture, built in 1924, is described as Irimoya-zukuri with lean-tos on its east, south and west sides.
On site, look at the roof from the side. A main roof above and a lower canopy running round below it, reading as two tiers, is the appearance. Whether a record uses this name depends on the region and on who wrote the entry.
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Registered tangible cultural properties (structures)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/toroku_yukei.html
- National Cultural Properties Database: Murao Residence, a hipped roof ringed on all four sides by a tiled lean-to
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003316
- National Cultural Properties Database: Tomita Residence Mokunansha, a lean-to carried round all four sides
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00013257
- National Cultural Properties Database: Fukuda Residence, eight rooms in three ranks around a twelve-and-a-half-mat room
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003006
Last verified: 2026.09.11