Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Gunma

Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse

Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse at the Gate

A mid-Meiji grain storehouse on the east side of the Kawabata estate in Fujioka, Gunma, with plaster walls, battened boards and two barred windows beside the gate.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Gunma

What Is the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse?

The Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse (川端家住宅東穀蔵, Kawabata-ke Jūtaku Higashi Kokugura) is a storehouse for grain on the east side of the Kawabata estate in Tateishishinden, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture, thought to date from the middle Meiji period and registered in 2001 as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

It stands toward the southern end of the east side, just north of the eastern end of the South Grain Storehouse. It is a single-storey, north–south building with a gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof of Sangawara-buki tiles and a building area of 45 square meters.

Facing the Great Gate from outside, this is the building on the left. As the name indicates, it presumably held rice, barley and other grain.

Why the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse Was Registered

The Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property under the criterion "contributes to the historic landscape of the country."

The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as the partner of the Head Clerk’s Room across the Great Gate, the two together forming the estate entrance. The gate is effectively flanked and guarded by them.

To the south it meets the end of the South Grain Storehouse, where the outer line of the estate turns the corner from the east side to the south. It anchors that corner as well.

Highlights of the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse

The walls of the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse are finished in Shikkui lime plaster, with a lower band of Shitami-itabari clapboard held by thin vertical battens. White plaster above and weathered timber below give the east side its restrained tone.

Two iron-barred windows open in the outer wall. They would have let air reach the stored grain while keeping thieves out.

The Head Clerk’s Room across the gate uses the same plaster-and-batten finish, so the two sides of the entrance match. When you look at this storehouse, look at it together with its partner.

Visiting the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse

The Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse turns its walls to the outside, but the estate itself is a private home and is not open to the public. The storehouse interior is not shown.

Even when the estate is booked for filming or an event, entry to the storehouse is at the owners’ discretion. Raise it when you make the booking.

Transport and general information are on the Kawabata Family Residence page.

Q&A

QWhere is the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse?: AOn the south part of the east side of the estate, just north of the South Grain Storehouse and immediately left of the Great Gate as seen from outside.

QWhat is the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse like?: AA single-storey gabled storehouse with a tiled roof and a building area of 45 square meters, thought to date from the middle Meiji period.

QWhat should I look for on the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse?: ALime-plastered walls over battened clapboard, and two iron-barred windows in the outer wall.

QWhy is the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?: AIt was registered in 2001 for its contribution to the historic landscape, forming the estate entrance with the Head Clerk’s Room across the gate.

QIs the Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse open to visitors?: ANo. The estate is private and available only by reservation for filming or events.

Basic Information

Name	Kawabata Family Residence East Grain Storehouse
Location	391 Tateishishinden, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building)
Year Designated	2001 (Heisei 13)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	Building area 45 m²
Owner	Kawabata Hozensha
Public Access	Not open to the public (private home; reservation-only use for filming and events)