About the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex
The Morimatsu Family Residence Annex (森松家住宅離れ, Morimatsu-ke Jūtaku Hanare) is an early-Shōwa reception wing standing east of the main house on 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 Annex is a one-storey timber building 7.6 by 4.0 metres, 31 m² in area. Its hipped roof runs east to west and is laid with pantiles, except along the eaves, which are finished in copper sheet. A partition wall is attached on the north side.
One Room, Three Verandas
At the heart of the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex is a single six-mat Zashiki reception room. On its east side are a Tokonoma alcove, a Tokowaki side bay with shelves, and a Tsukeshoin built-in desk alcove. Corridors run around the other three sides.
Keeping to one room wrapped in corridors is a plan made for looking at the garden. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as an open arrangement facing the garden, with touches of sukiya design.
The Morimatsu Family Residence Annex was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property for its contribution to the historic landscape. It is among the last additions to an estate whose oldest parts date to the late Edo period, and together with the Middle Gate of the same era it shows how the garden east of the main house was finished off.
Copper Eaves and the Middle Gate
Edging a tiled roof in copper makes the eaves look thin and light. That is why the annex roof looks so crisp next to the heavy tiled roof of the main house.
The Middle Gate stands between the main house and the annex, with side walls bent round from it. With those walls and the partition wall on the north side of the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex, the garden in front of it becomes the most secluded corner of the compound.
Seeing the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex
The Morimatsu Family Residence Annex stands deep in the garden of a private home, and its interior is not open. Because it is inside the compound, whether it can be seen from the street at all is unconfirmed.
Directions and what can be seen of the estate from outside are on the Morimatsu Family Residence page.
Q&A
- When was the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Shōwa era, making it one of the newest buildings on the estate.
- What is the layout of the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex?
- A single six-mat reception room with a tokonoma, shelved side bay and desk alcove on the east, and corridors on the other three sides.
- Why is the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2009 for contributing to the historic landscape, as an open, garden-facing room with sukiya touches.
- What is unusual about the roof of the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex?
- The hipped roof is tiled, but its eaves are finished in copper sheet, which makes the edge look thin and light.
- Can visitors see the Morimatsu Family Residence Annex?
- No. The Morimatsu Family Residence is a private home and is not open to the public, and the annex stands inside the grounds.
Basic Information
| Name | Morimatsu Family Residence Annex (森松家住宅離れ) |
|---|---|
| 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 31 m² (7.6 m by 4.0 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): 森松家住宅離れ
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00007776
- 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
