About the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse (森松家住宅道具蔵, Morimatsu-ke Jūtaku Dōgugura) is an early-Meiji two-storey clay-walled storehouse on the north side of a former headman's estate in Mukonoso Higashi, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2009.
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse stands immediately east of the clothing storehouse. It is square in plan, 3.9 metres each way, with a building area of 15 m², the smallest storehouse on the estate. It is built in the dozō manner with two storeys and has an east-west gabled roof of hongawara tiles. A section of wall is attached to it.
Built to Match Its Neighbour
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse was added in the Meiji era beside the older clothing storehouse, and care was taken to make it look like part of a pair.
Its eaves are a little lower than those of the clothing storehouse, yet its vertical boarding is carried up to almost the same height, so that the top line of the boards runs level across both buildings. The Agency for Cultural Affairs credits this with giving the estate its handsome appearance.
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property for its contribution to the historic landscape. Its value lies less in its own design than in the way it joins the neighbouring storehouse and wall to form the north face of the estate.
Granite Footings and a North Window
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse sits on footings of cut granite, like the clothing and rice storehouses; all three storehouses along the north and east edges share the same stone base.
Its window faces north, onto the road, one of the few openings visible from outside the estate. From its east side, the outer wall continues as far as the rice storehouse.
Seeing the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse
The Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse belongs to a private home and its interior is not open. As it stands on the north edge of the plot, it should be visible from the road on that side, though this has not been checked on site.
Look at it alongside the clothing storehouse and check whether the tops of the boards line up. Directions are on the Morimatsu Family Residence page.
Q&A
- When was the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Meiji era, later than the late-Edo clothing storehouse beside it.
- How big is the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- It is square, 3.9 metres each way, with a building area of 15 m²: the smallest storehouse on the estate, two storeys high.
- How does the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse relate to the clothing storehouse?
- Its eaves are slightly lower, but its boarding is carried to almost the same height, so the two storehouses look like a matching pair.
- Why is the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2009 for contributing to the historic landscape, helping form a unified north front with its neighbour.
- Can I see the Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse?
- Only from outside. The Morimatsu Family Residence is a private home and is not open to the public.
Basic Information
| Name | Morimatsu Family Residence Tool Storehouse (森松家住宅道具蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1-105 Mukonoso Higashi, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, etc. |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2009 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 15 m² (3.9 m by 3.9 m) |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private home; exterior from the street) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs): 森松家住宅道具蔵
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007778
- Amagasaki City: Morimatsu Family Residence (registered cultural properties of Amagasaki)
- https://www.city.amagasaki.hyogo.jp/manabu/bunkazai_0/1028308/1028313/1028789.html
Last verified: 2026.09.30
