A basin among the storehouses
The Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin (平尾家住宅水溜) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a stone-built rainwater basin, made in the mid-Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0313).
The Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin is a stone-lined basin northwest of the main house, enclosed by the new storehouse, the salt and miso storehouse and the ceramics storehouse. It gathered rain from the storehouse roofs, keeping water away from their walls and probably serving as a reserve against fire.
Cut stone with a brick rim
The Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin is 1.8 metres square and 0.45 metres deep, built of cut stone with a rim of brick, covering 3.2 m². An outlet is set at the north end of the west side.
The drain leading from it carries runoff from the ceramics storehouse porch and its neighbours, bending its way 15 metres to the west storehouse.
Handling water in a clay-walled yard
Clay storehouse walls suffer from damp, and where they crowd together the runoff has to go somewhere. The basin and its drain show that the estate was planned down to its drainage, not just its buildings.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin is deep within the estate, not open 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 Rainwater Basin?
- North of the Morio River, northwest of the main house, enclosed by three storehouses.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0313. It dates from the mid-Meiji era.
- How long is the drain of the Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin?
- It bends its way 15 metres to the west storehouse, carrying runoff from the ceramics storehouse porch.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin?
- 1.8 metres square and 0.45 metres deep, covering 3.2 m².
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin?
- No; it is closed and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin (平尾家住宅水溜) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0313 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 site |
| Dimensions | Stone; area 3.2 m²; with rainwater drain |
| 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 Rainwater Basin
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006889
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Rainwater Basin
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/144151
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
