Fire pump and boundary fence
The Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence (平尾家住宅ポンプ小屋及び板塀) in Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the shed for a fire pump together with the board fence on the site boundary, built in the late Meiji era, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on March 7, 2008 (number 28-0321).
The Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence comprises a shed that housed a fire pump, southwest of the waiting house, and the board fence that runs south from its rear corner post along the property line. A fire-water pond lies on the north side of the shed, keeping pump and water together.
For a household with dozens of buildings, being ready to fight fire was a serious matter.
Double doors across the front
The shed of the Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence is gabled and pantiled, 2.0 metres by 2.9 metres, facing east, with a building area of 5.9 m². Double doors fill the whole front so the pump could be pulled out at once; the sides and back are clay walls faced outside with vertical boards.
The board fence is timber with a tiled coping and runs for 3.6 metres.
Modern fire protection
Hand-operated fire pumps spread through rural Japan after the Meiji era began. The shed is a concrete record of a large estate keeping its own fire equipment.
Visiting
The Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence is north of the river, 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 Pump Shed and Board Fence?
- North of the Morio River, southwest of the waiting house.
- When was the Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence registered as a cultural property?
- On March 7, 2008, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 28-0321. It dates from the late Meiji era.
- What pump was kept in the Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence?
- A fire pump; a fire-water pond lies on the north side of the shed.
- How big is the Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence?
- The shed is 2.0 metres by 2.9 metres (5.9 m²) and the fence runs for 3.6 metres.
- Can visitors see the Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence?
- No; it is closed and not visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence (平尾家住宅ポンプ小屋及び板塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 958 Ando, Morio, Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 28-0321 |
| Year Designated | Registered 2008/03/07 (Heisei 20) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Shed: timber, single storey, tiled roof, building area 5.9 m², with fire-water pond; board fence: timber, tiled, 3.6 metres long |
| 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 Pump Shed and Board Fence
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006897
- Cultural Heritage Online — Hirao Family Residence Pump Shed and Board Fence
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/197889
- Tajima Encyclopedia (Tanshin Regional Promotion Fund) — Hirao Family Residence
- https://tanshin-kikin.jp/tajima/568
Last verified: 2026.10.02
