About the Seishikan Charcoal Room
The Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Charcoal Room (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）炭部屋, Seishikan Sumibeya) is a small single-story timber shed built in 1934 in Ueno, Inagawa Town, Hyogo Prefecture, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2004.
It stands on the west side of Tomita Kumasaku's estate, north of the Tool Room. It is 2 ken deep and 10 shaku long (about 3 m), with a building area of 14 m², under a gabled pantile roof. As the name says, it probably held charcoal for fuel; charcoal fires also heated the floor of the Study Storehouse.
Why the Seishikan Charcoal Room was registered
The Agency for Cultural Affairs registered the Seishikan Charcoal Room for its contribution to the historic landscape, noting that its red Bengara timber and yellow plaster match the Front Gate and that its design is unified with the Tool Room.
The Charcoal Room makes most sense as half of a pair. Its tiled front canopy runs straight on from the Tool Room, so the two look like one long building. Yet each has its own ridge, and you can still read them as two separate sheds side by side.
What to look for at the Seishikan Charcoal Room
The highlight is the row of high windows under the eaves, shaped like the Mokkō crest, a lobed oval. The town leaflet singles out these windows as the Charcoal Room's finest feature, their pale outlines set into the yellow wall.
Small windows set high would have ventilated and lit a charcoal store. Giving them the shape of a family crest shows how far the owner's care extended, even to a service shed.
Visiting the Seishikan Charcoal Room
Go through the Service Gate into the back yard and you will see the Seishikan Charcoal Room just north of the Tool Room. The mokko windows are high up, so step back to look. The town does not say whether the interior is open.
Opening days and access are on the Seishikan page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Hyogo
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Charcoal Room
- [ Himeji Castle & Kobe Night View Cruise ]
Q&A
- Where is the Seishikan Charcoal Room?
- On the west side of the estate, north of the Tool Room and south of the Miso Room.
- How big is the Seishikan Charcoal Room?
- It is 2 ken deep and 10 shaku long, with a building area of 14 m².
- What are the mokko windows of the Seishikan Charcoal Room?
- High windows under the eaves shaped like the mokko family crest. The Tool Room next door has the same windows.
- Why is the Seishikan Charcoal Room a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2004 for its contribution to the historic landscape, finished like the Front Gate and unified in design with the Tool Room.
- What was the Seishikan Charcoal Room used for?
- The name suggests it stored charcoal for fuel. No detailed record of its use has been found.
Basic Information
| Name | Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Charcoal Room (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）炭部屋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 22 Ueno Machimawari, Inagawa Town, Kawabe District, Hyogo Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building) |
| Year Designated | Registered in 2004 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 2 ken × 10 shaku (harima × ketayuki), building area 14 m² |
| Owner | Inagawa Town |
| Public Access | Open to the public as Seishikan (free; closed Mondays) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: 静思館（旧冨田家住宅）炭部屋
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004164
- Inagawa Town: Inagawa Town Seishikan
- https://www.town.inagawa.lg.jp/soshiki/1036/gyomu/1/seishikan/6710.html
- Inagawa Town: Seishikan leaflet (PDF)
- https://www.town.inagawa.lg.jp/material/files/group/37/seishikan2.pdf
Last verified: 2026.10.01
