The Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse
The Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse (島田商店旧石蔵, Shimada Shōten Kyū-ishigura) is a two-storey stone storehouse of 1937 in Tomoecho 1-chome, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on November 29, 2006; its registration number is 10-0205.
The Shimada family built it as a new store for their goods in 1937, the year they remodelled the shop and office and moved here; it stands at the west end of the south street front (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kiryu City). It was renovated in 1985.
Oya Stone Walls and a King-Post Roof
The Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse measures 6 ken by 5 ken. Its walls are of Ōya stone laid lengthwise, with the beams and pilasters picked out in mortar. The roof, gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) and tiled, rests on a king post truss (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kiryu City).
Originally the doorway was in the middle of the east side, with windows on the upper floor. The interior was later refitted, a raised ridge vent (Koshi-yane) and an entrance were added, and the building became a dental clinic (Agency for Cultural Affairs); the renovation is recorded as 1985. On the gable facing the south street there is a tiled entrance porch with a hip-and-gable roof (Kiryu City).
Why It Was Registered
The Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse was registered as a building that contributes to the historic landscape of the country. Its stone gable closes the west end of the Shimada Shoten street front beside the timber store and office, and its change from goods store to clinic is part of its story.
What to Look For
From the south street, the Ōya stone wall of the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse is crossed by a grid of mortar pilasters and beams, with the hip-and-gable porch projecting in front. Compare the plain gable of the storehouse with the roof of the later porch.
The ridge vent on the roof was added for the clinic and was not part of the original store (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
Kiryu City reports that the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse is used as a dental clinic; its current status could not be confirmed. The exterior can be seen from the south street; unless you are a patient, please stay off the premises.
Q&A
- When was the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse built?
- In 1937; it was renovated in 1985 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse made of?
- Ōya stone laid lengthwise, 2 storeys high, with a king post truss and a tiled roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kiryu City).
- What is the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse used for now?
- According to Kiryu City it was converted into a dental clinic. It was first built as a goods store.
- What should I look for at the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse?
- The mortar pilasters and beams on the Ōya stone wall and the hip-and-gable porch on the south gable.
- When was the Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse registered?
- On November 29, 2006 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse (島田商店旧石蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-1121-8 Tomoecho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2006/11/29 (Heisei 18) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stone, 2 storeys, tile roof, building area 99 m² |
| Owner | Unknown (not listed in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database) |
| Public Access | Exterior visible from the south street (interior converted to a dental clinic, per Kiryu City) |
References
- Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00005926
- Shimada Shoten Former Stone Storehouse (Cultural Heritage Online, Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/143191
- Shimada Shoten and Shimada Family Residence, 7 buildings (Kiryu City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.kiryu.lg.jp/kankou/bunkazai/1010700/kunitouroku/1008501.html
Last verified: 2026.11.01
