Northwest of the main house
The Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse (平尾家住宅陶器蔵) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the storehouse for ceramics and tableware, built in 1887 and remodelled in the early Showa era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0310).
The Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse stands northwest of the main house and west of the salt and miso storehouse. As the name suggests, it held the dishes and lacquer trays brought out for ceremonies and guests. A porch and back gate are attached to its east gable, and the west storehouse meets it at a right angle.
A stone rainwater basin sits between it and the new and salt and miso storehouses, with a drain running round this corner of the compound.
Windows stepped across the north wall
The Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse is a 2-storey earthen-walled storehouse of 3 bays by 2 under a floating gabled roof of pantiles, with a building area of 24 m². The plastered walls change to exposed-aggregate mortar below the drip course, and double doors open in the east gable.
On the north side, 2 windows with small hoods are set one above the other but slightly offset, a deliberate touch that breaks up the plain storehouse wall.
Part of the storehouse cluster
With the west storehouse, its own porch and the salt and miso storehouse, it forms a tight cluster of white-walled stores northwest of the main house, one of the most distinctive corners of the compound.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse is deep within the estate, closed, and not visible from the road.
The story of the estate, what can be seen from the road and directions are on the Hirao Family Residence page.
Q&A
- Where is the Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse?
- North of the Morio River, northwest of the main house and west of the salt and miso storehouse.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0310. It dates from 1887, remodelled in the early Showa era.
- What should I look for on the Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse?
- The 2 hooded windows on the north wall, set one above the other but slightly offset.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse?
- A 2-storey storehouse of 3 bays by 2, with a building area of 24 m².
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse?
- No; it is closed and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse (平尾家住宅陶器蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0310 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys, tiled roof; building area 24 m² |
| Owner | Private individual |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006886
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Ceramics Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/142648
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
