Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Gunma

Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed

Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed: A Meiji Wood and Charcoal Store

An early-Meiji firewood and charcoal shed on the north side of the Fujiu estate in Kiryu, Gunma, raised on cut stone and clad in sheet metal to keep fuel dry.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Gunma

Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed: A Fuel Store in a Metal Skin

The Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed (藤生家住宅薪小屋, Fujiu-ke Jūtaku Makigoya) is a single-story timber shed of the early Meiji era toward the east end of the north side of the Fujiu family estate in Hirosawa-chō, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on May 15, 2007.

It was used to store firewood and charcoal. The shed runs east and west, 4.5 by 2.5 ken, with a building area of 38 square meters, under a gabled roof of sheet metal.

Built to Keep Fuel Dry

The Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed stands on a foundation of cut stone. Keeping firewood dry means keeping it away from ground moisture, and the stone base does exactly that.

The walls are framed with exposed posts, but the outside is clad in sheet metal to shield the stored wood and charcoal from rain and snow. There is only one way in, a single hinged board door set a little east of center on the south wall.

Why the Fujiu Firewood Shed Was Registered

The Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed was registered for contributing to the historic landscape of the country.

Cooking, heating the bath and keeping warm in winter all depended on wood and charcoal in a rural household. At the Fujiu estate, this fuel store lies north of the service area behind the main house where the bathhouse and miso storehouse stand. It is a plain building, but its size gives a concrete sense of how much fire the household burned day to day.

Visiting the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed

The Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed is on the north side of the property and is hard to make out from the road. The shed and grounds are part of a private home and are not open.

If you visit the Fujiu estate, please stay on the road and enjoy what you can see from there.

📍 Plan Your Visit to Gunma: Find tours, activities & transport passes near Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed; [ Kusatsu Onsen & Tomioka Silk Mill Heritage Tours ]

Q&A

QWhat was the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed used for?: AIt stored firewood and charcoal, the fuel the household used for cooking and heating the bath.

QWhy is the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed clad in metal?: AThe sheet metal over its timber walls most likely protected the stored wood and charcoal from rain and snow.

QHow large is the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed?: AIt is a single-story timber building 4.5 by 2.5 ken, with a building area of 38 square meters.

QWhen was the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed built?: AIt dates to the early Meiji era and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on May 15, 2007.

QCan I visit the Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed?: ANo. It stands on the north side of a private residence that is not open to the public.

Basic Information

Name	Fujiu Family Residence Firewood Shed
Location	5-1179 Hirosawacho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building)
Year Designated	Registered May 15, 2007 (54th round, registration no. 10-0221)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	Building area 38 square meters; 4.5 by 2.5 ken
Owner	Private owner
Public Access	Not open to the public (private residence)