Funayakata (Boat Cabin)

The Cabin of a Daimyo's River Barge

Funayakata (Boat Cabin) (船屋形) is the cabin of the river pleasure boat of the lords of Himeji of 1682 to 1704 in Sorakuen, Nakayamatedori, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 29, 1953 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records five bays by one, single-storey with an upper level, with stepped gabled roofs of cypress bark; designation number 01240.

The Living Quarters of a River Barge

The Funayakata is a building five bays by one, single-storey with an upper level, under stepped gabled roofs of cypress bark, dated by the Agency to between 1682 and 1704 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

According to Kobe City, it is part of the river pleasure barge used by the lords of the Himeji domain in the Edo period, the cabin that served as their living quarters. It was moved into Sorakuen in 1980 and is kept on dry land. Only a few lords' barges survive, this is said to be the only river barge left in Japan, and its gilded metal fittings and lacquer work are its highlights.

Why It Is an Important Cultural Property

The Agency record has no commentary; the structure and date set out what was designated. It is the cabin of a river barge of the late 17th to early 18th century (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kobe City).

What to Look For

Look for the stepped gabled roofs of cypress bark and the gilded fittings and lacquer decoration (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Kobe City).

Visiting

It is owned by Kobe City and stands in the city's Sorakuen garden (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to Kobe City, visitors cannot enter; on opening days the interior is viewed from a platform outside. The garden is open from 9:00 to 17:00 and closed on Thursdays, except in the azalea and chrysanthemum seasons. The Hassam house, Kodera stables and Funayakata are introduced together on the Sorakuen page.