From the north wall to the retirement house
The Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate (平尾家住宅隠居屋東塀及び門) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the wall and gate east of the retirement house, built in the mid-Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0344).
The Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate runs from the west end of the guest house north wall to the east face of the retirement house, with a gate near the retirement house end. With the treasure storehouse partition, it encloses the garden in front of the retirement house.
Open at the top
The east wall of the Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate is 8.6 metres long, a step lower than the north wall, with a sheet-metal roof. Square posts stand every 1.0 metres on a sill over a cut-stone footing, joined by a tie rail.
Vertical boards fill the space below the rail, and above it the wall is left open. The gate is a bracketed gate 1.6 metres wide, gabled and pantiled.
Lightness for a retirement house
The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes the light impression given by its open upper section. A wall that does not shut everything off suits the quiet garden of the retirement house.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate is inside 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 Retirement House East Wall and Gate?
- North of the Morio River, from the guest house north wall to the east side of the retirement house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0344. It dates from the mid-Meiji era.
- What is distinctive about the Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate?
- The wall is boarded only up to a tie rail and left open above.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate?
- The wall is 8.6 metres long and the gate 1.6 metres wide.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate?
- No; it is inside the private grounds and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate (平尾家住宅隠居屋東塀及び門) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0344 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | East wall: timber, sheet-metal roof, 8.6 metres long; gate: timber, tiled, 1.6 metres wide |
| 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 Retirement House East Wall and Gate
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006920
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Retirement House East Wall and Gate
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/172222
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
