Registered Tangible Cultural Properties · Hyogo

Morimatsu Family Residence Well

Morimatsu Family Residence Well: A Granite Well of the Late Edo Period

A late-Edo well at the heart of a headman's estate in Amagasaki, Hyogo: a jointed granite curb 0.8 m square over an 8 m shaft, with a granite washing slab beside it.

Designation Registered Tangible Cultural Properties

Location Hyogo

About the Morimatsu Family Residence Well

The Morimatsu Family Residence Well (森松家住宅井戸, Morimatsu-ke Jūtaku Ido) is a late-Edo (1830 to 1867) stone well at the centre 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 Well lies south-east of the main house, surrounded by the buildings of the compound. It is counted as one structure rather than one building, and it is the only one of the estate's 12 registered items that is not a building.

Granite Slabs Locked Together

The curb of the Morimatsu Family Residence Well is built of cut granite slabs 0.12 metres thick. At each corner the slabs are half-notched so that they lock into one another, a joint known in Japanese as aigaki.

The curb is 0.8 metres square and stands 0.7 metres above ground; the shaft is 8.0 metres deep. The registered area of 0.64 m² is simply the outside measurement of the curb.

On the south side is a granite washing slab about 1.9 by 0.9 metres, so that water drawn from the well could be used for washing on the spot.

The Water Behind the Household

The Morimatsu Family Residence Well was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property for its contribution to the historic landscape. It dates from the same late-Edo years as the main house.

Where the storehouses and gates shape how the estate looks from outside, the Morimatsu Family Residence Well served its daily life from within. What makes it worth registering is that the carefully jointed curb and its matching granite washing slab survive together.

Seeing the Morimatsu Family Residence Well

The Morimatsu Family Residence Well is in the middle of the grounds of a private home and is not open to visitors. Surrounded by buildings, it is unlikely to be visible from the street.

What can be seen from outside, and how to get there, is covered on the Morimatsu Family Residence page.

Q&A

QWhen was the Morimatsu Family Residence Well made?: AThe Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the late Edo period (1830 to 1867), the same period as the main house.

QHow is the Morimatsu Family Residence Well built?: AIts curb is made of granite slabs 0.12 metres thick, half-notched at the corners, 0.8 metres square and 0.7 metres high; the shaft is 8.0 metres deep.

QWhat is the washing slab at the Morimatsu Family Residence Well?: AA granite work surface about 1.9 by 0.9 metres on the south side of the curb.

QWhy is the Morimatsu Family Residence Well a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?: AIt was registered in 2009 for contributing to the historic landscape; the curb and washing slab survive together.

QCan I see the Morimatsu Family Residence Well?: ANo. The Morimatsu Family Residence is a private home and is not open to the public, and the well is in the middle of the grounds.

Basic Information

Name	Morimatsu Family Residence Well (森松家住宅井戸)
Location	1-105 Mukonoso Higashi, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, etc.
Designation	Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building)
Year Designated	2009 (registered)
Quantity	1 structure
Dimensions	Area 0.64 m² (curb 0.8 m square, 0.7 m high; 8.0 m deep); washing slab 1.9 m by 0.9 m
Owner	Private owner
Public Access	Not open to the public (private home; exterior from the street)