The House of a Village Headman in the Hills
The Oku Family Residence (Kisa Town, Futami District, Hiroshima Prefecture) (奥家住宅(広島県双三郡吉舎町)) is the residence of the Oku family, village headmen in the late Edo period, at Kisa-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, whose main house in 1978 was designated an Important Cultural Property.
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the main house was built in 1788 and represents late Edo houses of the region; the storehouse behind it and the land were later added to the designation.
Miyoshi City notes that the family is said to descend from a samurai of Tanba who came to the area in the Tensho era and settled on the present site in the Hoei era, under the house name Okagaito.
Layout of the Estate
According to the Agency, the estate stands on high ground on the left bank of the Baraigawa River, facing south. The main house stands near the centre facing south with the storehouse joined behind; a front gate at the centre of the south side leads to an earthen wall running west, with a cattle shed, kitchen gate, store and pickling shed marking the western boundary.
The storehouse, entered from inside the house, dates from 1812 by its ridge tag and building records. Outbuildings dating to the early Meiji period also survive around the house.
What to Look For
Miyoshi City describes the reception room in a refined sukiya style with half-rounded cedar posts, yet given formality by a nageshi rail, looking onto a fine south garden. Above the earth-floored area, heavy roof beams are stacked five deep. A farmhouse with an internal storehouse opening from the house is unusual in the region.
The Agency values it as a rare example of the estate of a leading farming family in the mountains of the Chugoku region.
Visiting the Oku Family Residence (Kisa Town, Futami District, Hiroshima Prefecture)
Check visiting arrangements with the Miyoshi City board of education, 0824-62-6191.
Q&A
- When was the Oku residence designated?
- The main house in 1978; the storehouse and land were added later.
- When was the main house built?
- In 1788.
- Who were the Oku?
- A family of samurai descent who served as village headmen.
- What is special about the storehouse?
- It opens from inside the house, unusual for farmhouses here.
- What are the highlights?
- The sukiya-style reception room, south garden and five tiers of roof beams.
Basic Information
| Name | Oku Family Residence (Kisa Town, Futami District, Hiroshima Prefecture) (奥家住宅(広島県双三郡吉舎町)) |
|---|---|
| Location | 634 Shikiji, Kisa-cho, Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1978/1/21 (Showa 53) |
| Quantity | Main house, storehouse and land |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Public Access | Check with Miyoshi City |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Oku Family Residence Storehouse (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/00004920
- Cultural Heritage Online: Oku Family Residence Storehouse (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/284616
- Miyoshi City: Oku Family Residence (Japanese)
- https://www.city.miyoshi.hiroshima.jp/soshiki/49/3520.html
Last verified: 2026.09.29
Cultural Treasures in the Same Area
All are within walking distance in the same area, so we recommend visiting them together.
- Oku Family Residence (Kisa Town, Sosan District, Hiroshima Main house 0.00 km
- Oku Family Residence (Kisa Town, Sosan District, Hiroshima storehouse 0.01 km