Former Katsuyamasha Brick Storehouse

Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse: A Meiji-Era Industrial Treasure in Maebashi

Standing quietly on a street in the Honmachi district of Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, the Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse (旧勝山社煉瓦蔵) is a striking reminder of the city's illustrious past as one of Japan's leading silk-producing centers. Built in 1902 (Meiji 35), this handsome two-story brick storehouse was originally constructed to store goods for the Katsuyama-sha, a company with deep roots in the silk reeling and textile industry that helped shape modern Japan. Registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property in 2008, this compact yet dignified building invites visitors to discover a lesser-known chapter of Japan's remarkable industrial heritage.

The Story of Katsuyama-sha and Maebashi's Silk Legacy

Maebashi is famously celebrated in the Jomo Karuta card game as "Kento Maebashi, Ito no Machi" — the prefectural capital and city of silk thread. Long before the Tomioka Silk Mill gained UNESCO World Heritage status, Maebashi was already at the forefront of Japan's modern silk industry. In 1870 (Meiji 3), the domain-operated Maebashi Silk Reeling Mill became Japan's very first Western-style machine silk reeling facility, predating even Tomioka.

Katsuyama Sozaburo (1831–1883), a prominent silk merchant born in Maebashi, inherited his family's silk business and began exporting raw silk following the opening of Yokohama Port. In 1875 (Meiji 8), he purchased the former domain-run silk reeling facility and expanded operations through innovations in reeling machinery. In 1878 (Meiji 11), he established the Katsuyama-sha as an improved hand-reeling silk company in the Honmachi district.

Katsuyama Sozaburo was also one of the celebrated "Maebashi Twenty-Five" (前橋二十五人衆), a group of wealthy local merchants who contributed their personal fortunes to bring the prefectural capital to Maebashi. His fiery personality is legendary — during fundraising negotiations, he reportedly struck a reluctant wealthy man twice on the head and declared that each blow was worth 1,000 ryo, thereby pledging 3,000 ryo on the spot.

After Katsuyama Sozaburo's passing, the company transitioned from silk reeling to textile weaving in 1898 (Meiji 31). The brick warehouse that stands today was built in 1902, during this textile manufacturing period, to store the company's valuable products and materials.

Architectural Features and Cultural Value

The Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse is a gable-roofed, two-story brick structure measuring 8.8 meters in length and 5.1 meters in width, with a total building area of 45 square meters. The roof is finished with traditional Japanese clay tiles (sangi-buki) in a kirizuma (gable) style, while the entrance faces the gable end (tsuma-iri configuration).

What makes this building architecturally distinctive is the masterful brickwork. The walls are laid in English bond pattern — alternating rows of stretchers (long side) and headers (short end) — a technique commonly seen in Meiji-era industrial buildings across Gunma Prefecture. The bricks themselves are particularly noteworthy: they are yaki-sugashi renga (over-fired bricks), also known as black bricks, which are harder and more durable than standard bricks. This premium material gives the walls their characteristic deep, dark brown coloring.

The building displays a fascinating blend of Western and Japanese design sensibilities. While the fundamental construction is Western brick masonry, the decorative elements around the windows and the hachimaki (headband) molding evoke the appearance of a traditional Japanese earthen storehouse (dozō). The white plaster trim around the openings creates a beautiful contrast against the dark brick, lending the building an elegant, dignified presence. The interior features a kingpost truss roof structure, demonstrating the adoption of Western engineering techniques during the Meiji period.

The warehouse was relocated to its current site in 1953 (Showa 28) and underwent renovation in 1981 (Showa 56), during which the main entrance was modified. Despite these changes, the building retains its essential character and historical integrity.

Why It Was Designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property

The Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse was registered as a national Tangible Cultural Property (Registration No. 10-0252) on March 7, 2008, under the criterion that it contributes to the historical landscape of the nation. The registration system, established in 1996, was designed to protect the diverse range of modern architectural heritage that might otherwise be lost to urban development and changing lifestyles.

The warehouse is valued for several reasons. It is a tangible link to Maebashi's golden era as a silk and textile production center. The use of high-quality over-fired bricks and English bond brickwork represents the advanced construction techniques of the Meiji period. Furthermore, as many brick buildings in Maebashi were destroyed during World War II air raids, surviving examples like this one are exceptionally precious. The building's tall eaves and substantial appearance contribute meaningfully to the historic streetscape of central Maebashi.

Highlights and What to Look For

When visiting the Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse, take time to appreciate the details that make this building special. The deep brown over-fired bricks, darker and denser than ordinary red bricks, give the walls a rich, almost chocolate-like tone. Look closely at the brickwork pattern: the English bond technique creates a rhythmic alternation of long and short faces that is both structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing. The fukurin-meji (rounded mortar joints) between the bricks add another layer of craftsmanship.

Pay attention to the window surrounds and the hachimaki band that wraps around the building. These white plaster elements, set against the dark brick, recall the design language of Japanese kura (storehouses) while being executed in an entirely Western material. This cultural hybridization is characteristic of the creative adaptation that occurred during the Meiji modernization period.

The building currently serves as a dining establishment, allowing visitors to experience this historic space in an intimate setting. The adaptive reuse of heritage buildings for restaurants and cafes is a growing trend across Japan, and this warehouse is a fine example of how old structures can be given new life while preserving their historical character.

Maebashi's Brick Heritage Trail

The Former Katsuyama-sha Brick Warehouse is part of a broader network of brick industrial heritage sites scattered throughout Maebashi. The city has embraced its brick legacy as a unifying theme for urban renewal and cultural tourism. Visitors interested in exploring more of Maebashi's brick heritage should consider visiting the following nearby sites:

• Former Yasuda Bank Collateral Warehouse (旧安田銀行担保倉庫): A massive brick warehouse built in 1913 (Taisho 2) to store silk and cocoons held as bank collateral. At approximately 54 meters in length, it is one of the most impressive brick structures in the city.
• Jomo Warehouse (上毛倉庫): Another significant brick warehouse from the silk industry era, showcasing English bond brickwork.
• Former Otake Sake Brewery Brick Warehouse (旧大竹酒造煉瓦蔵): A registered Tangible Cultural Property that demonstrates how brick construction was adopted beyond the silk industry.
• Maebashi Silkworm and Silk Memorial Hall (前橋市蚕糸記念館): Houses historical tools and materials from the Maebashi silk reeling era, including artifacts from the pioneering Maebashi Silk Reeling Mill.

The city's central shopping street has also incorporated brick as a design element in its recent architectural renovations, creating a visual continuity between the historic buildings and contemporary structures. Walking through Maebashi's city center with an eye for brick is a rewarding experience that reveals layers of history at every turn.

Nearby Attractions

Central Maebashi offers a wealth of cultural experiences beyond its silk heritage. The Rinko-kaku (臨江閣), a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, is a stunning Meiji-era guesthouse complex featuring traditional Japanese architecture and beautiful gardens. The Maebashi Literary Museum (前橋文学館), dedicated to the beloved poet Hagiwara Sakutaro who was born in the city, sits along the picturesque Hirose River. Art enthusiasts will enjoy Arts Maebashi (アーツ前橋), a contemporary art museum, and the Maebashi Galleria, a cutting-edge complex designed by architect Hirata Akihisa. The Shiraiya Hotel, a heritage building transformed into an art hotel by architect Fujimoto Sou, has become a symbol of Maebashi's creative renaissance. Along the Hirose River, visitors can discover Taro Okamoto's "Bell of the Sun" (太陽の鐘), a monumental sculpture that adds a touch of avant-garde art to the serene riverside promenade.