About the Seishikan Tool Room
The Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Tool Room (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）道具部屋, Seishikan Dōgubeya) is a 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, west of the Main House with the Service Gate between them. It is 2 ken deep and 3.5 ken long (a ken is about 1.8 m), with a building area of 25 m², under a gabled pantile roof. It is the southernmost of three sheds lined up along the west side: Tool Room, Charcoal Room and Miso Room.
Why the Seishikan Tool Room was registered
The Agency for Cultural Affairs registered the Seishikan Tool Room for its contribution to the historic landscape, and remarks on the vivid pairing of red Bengara timber and yellow Ōtsu plaster.
The tiled canopy across its front continues without a break onto the Charcoal Room to the north. Two sheds joined under one canopy make a long eave line on the west side, and that line shapes the view of the back yard beyond the Service Gate.
What to look for at the Seishikan Tool Room
Of its 3.5 ken length, the southern 1 ken is a toilet. That section has its own lower roof, stepped down from the main ridge, and a tiled hood over the south gable. A shed for farm tools thus included a toilet for people working in the yard.
High in the wall under the eaves is a row of windows shaped like the Mokkō, a family crest of a lobed oval. The Charcoal Room has the same windows. Look for their pale outlines between the red posts and yellow walls.
Visiting the Seishikan Tool Room
The Seishikan Tool Room is best seen from the back-yard side, through the Service Gate, where its shared canopy and mokko windows are clear. 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) Tool Room
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Q&A
- Where is the Seishikan Tool Room?
- On the west side of the estate, west of the Main House across the Service Gate. It is the southernmost of three sheds.
- How big is the Seishikan Tool Room?
- It is 2 ken deep and 3.5 ken long, with a building area of 25 m².
- Does the Seishikan Tool Room have a toilet?
- Yes. The southern 1 ken is a toilet under a lower, stepped-down roof.
- What are the windows of the Seishikan Tool Room like?
- High windows under the eaves are shaped like the mokko crest. The Charcoal Room next door has the same windows.
- Why is the Seishikan Tool Room a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered in 2004 for its contribution to the historic landscape, with red bengara timber and yellow plaster forming the west side together with the Charcoal Room.
Basic Information
| Name | Seishikan (Former Tomita Family Residence) Tool Room (静思館（旧冨田家住宅）道具部屋) |
|---|---|
| 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 × 3.5 ken (harima × ketayuki), building area 25 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）道具部屋
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004163
- 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
