Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Gunma

Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed

Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed: Timber Store of a Farm Estate

A long mid-Meiji shed on the west side of the Kawabata estate in Fujioka, Gunma, open on one side, earth-walled on three, to store timber thinned on site.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Gunma

What Is the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed?

The Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed (川端家住宅木小屋, Kawabata-ke Jūtaku Kigoya) is a long, narrow timber store near the middle of the west side of the Kawabata estate in Tateishishinden, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture, built around the middle Meiji period and registered in 2001 as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

It stands north of the Pawn Storehouse, a single-storey building with a north–south ridge, a gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof of Sangawara-buki tiles and a building area of 40 square meters.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs says it was used to keep trees thinned from the estate grounds. Wood from managing the garden and the estate’s trees was presumably stacked and seasoned here.

Why the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed Was Registered

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

The Agency calls it an inward-facing, subsidiary building, yet an indispensable part of a wealthy farmer’s estate. Its value lies in the fact that the service buildings that kept the household running survive alongside the grand ones.

On a plot large enough to be called an itchō yashiki, managing trees was part of daily work. The woodshed is where that work becomes visible.

Highlights of the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed

The walls of the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed tell you how it worked. The east side is left open between the posts, while the other three sides are closed with earthen walls. Open inward and closed outward, it allowed timber to be moved in and air to circulate from the east.

That open east face looks into the grounds, toward the Pawn and Rear Storehouses. The closed west face follows the boundary and, together with the West Wall, forms the estate’s western edge.

The long, narrow plan suits long lengths of timber laid flat. It is a plain building, but its shape and the direction of its opening explain its purpose.

Visiting the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed

The Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed is deep inside the west side of the estate and cannot be seen from outside. The residence is still lived in and is not open to the public.

The owners accept bookings for filming and events by reservation only. Ask at that stage whether service buildings such as the woodshed can be included.

Layout and transport information is on the Kawabata Family Residence page.

Q&A

QWhat was the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed used for?: AStoring trees thinned from the estate grounds. Its Japanese name, kigoya, means timber shed.

QWhere is the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed?: ANear the middle of the estate’s west side, just north of the Pawn Storehouse.

QHow is the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed built?: AIt is a long single-storey gabled building with a tiled roof, 40 square meters in area, open on the east side and earth-walled on the other three.

QWhy is the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?: AIt was registered in 2001 for its contribution to the historic landscape, as a modest but essential part of a wealthy farmer’s estate.

QCan visitors see the Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed?: AThe estate is a private home and not open to the public. Ask the owners about access when booking.

Basic Information

Name	Kawabata Family Residence Woodshed
Location	391 Tateishishinden, Fujioka City, Gunma Prefecture
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building)
Year Designated	2001 (Heisei 13)
Quantity	1 building
Dimensions	Building area 40 m²
Owner	Kawabata Hozensha
Public Access	Not open to the public (private home; reservation-only use for filming and events)