Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Gunma

Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse

Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse: Brick and Plaster

A long, low mid-Meiji storehouse on the south side of the Kawabata estate in Fujioka, Gunma, hipped at one end, gabled at the other, with a brick lining inside.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Gunma

What Is the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?

The Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse (川端家住宅南穀蔵, Kawabata-ke Jūtaku Minami Kokugura) is a long storehouse filling the eastern half of the south 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 is a single-storey building running east to west under a Sangawara-buki tile roof, with a building area of 62 square meters. It stretches along the southern boundary, and the South Wall continues from its western end.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that it is lower overall than the other storehouses. Like the Villa, it is believed to date from the middle Meiji years.

Why the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse Was Registered

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

The south side of the estate faces the old road. This storehouse closes the eastern half and the South Wall the western half, so the storehouse is literally the long outline of the estate as seen from outside.

At its east end it meets the East Grain Storehouse to form the corner of the compound. Its low, extended profile lets wall and storehouse read as one continuous line.

Highlights of the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse

The most unusual feature of the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse is that its two ends are roofed differently. The east end is hipped, in the Yosemune-zukuri manner, while the west end is a plain gable in the Kirizuma-zukuri manner. The rounded hip may be a way of softening the corner of the estate.

The walls are Shikkui lime plaster, but the lower band differs inside and out. Outside it is Shitami-itabari clapboard held by thin battens; inside it is brick. Brick in a Meiji storehouse is a concrete sign of how new materials were spreading at the time.

Its low height matters too. Among taller storehouses, this one lies long and flat, giving the south side a strong horizontal line.

Visiting the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse

The Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse sits on the estate boundary, but the residence is private and not open to the public. The brick lining inside can only be seen from within.

The owners accept bookings for filming and events on a reservation-only basis. Ask when booking whether the storehouse interior can be viewed.

Layout and transport details are on the Kawabata Family Residence page.

Q&A

QWhere is the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?: AAlong the eastern half of the estate’s south side, with the South Wall to its west and the East Grain Storehouse at its east end.

QWhat is unusual about the roof of the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?: AIts east end is hipped and its west end gabled, two different roof endings on a single storehouse.

QWhat materials line the lower walls of the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?: ALime-plastered walls sit above battened clapboard on the outside and brickwork on the inside.

QHow large and how old is the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?: AIt is a single-storey building of 62 square meters, lower than the other storehouses, thought to date from the middle Meiji period. It was registered in 2001.

QCan visitors see inside the Kawabata Family Residence South Grain Storehouse?: AThe estate is not open to the public. Ask the owners when making a reservation-only booking.

Basic Information

Name	Kawabata Family Residence South 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 62 m²
Owner	Kawabata Hozensha
Public Access	Not open to the public (private home; reservation-only use for filming and events)