Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence, Building No. 2
Standing quietly amid the pastoral landscape of Kanegasaki Town in southern Iwate Prefecture, the Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence, Building No. 2 (旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第二棟) is a rare surviving example of Meiji-era military housing. Built in 1911, this single-story wooden residence served as quarters for officers stationed at the Rokuhara Branch of the Army Horse Supplement Department. Registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2017, the building offers a fascinating window into the daily lives of military officers during Japan's rapid modernization period and the important role that horse breeding played in the nation's military strategy.
Historical Background
In 1896, the Imperial Japanese Army established the Horse Supplement Department (軍馬補充部) to manage the breeding, training, and supply of military horses across Japan. Two years later, in 1898, the Rokuhara Branch was set up in the Rokuhara district of what is now Kanegasaki Town, thanks largely to the efforts of Kuwashima Jūzaburō, a local politician who served as village mayor and Isawa District council member. He worked tirelessly to attract the branch to the area, recognizing the economic benefits it would bring to the rural community.
The branch eventually developed a compound with nine residential plots for officers and staff. Building No. 2 was constructed around 1911 (Meiji 44), along with its companion structures. While the branch was closed in 1925 due to military downsizing, the vast grounds later became farmland and eventually the site of the present-day Iwate Prefectural Agricultural University. Of the original nine officer's quarters, only three buildings have survived to the present day, making them precious architectural witnesses to this chapter of local and military history.
Designation as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property
On May 2, 2017, Building No. 2 was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (登録有形文化財) together with Buildings No. 1 and No. 3. The registration recognized several key factors: the building's construction date is clearly documented, providing a reliable point of reference for architectural history; it retains its original Meiji-era design features blending Western and Japanese styles; and it represents a relatively modest yet historically significant type of military officer's housing that has become exceedingly rare across Japan. While Building No. 1 served as a more elaborate residence for higher-ranking officers (佐官級), Building No. 2 was slightly simpler in its composition, offering insight into the hierarchy of military housing standards of the period.
Architectural Highlights
Building No. 2 is positioned on the west side of the road from Building No. 1, oriented on an east-west axis. It is a single-story wooden structure with a hipped roof (寄棟造) clad in steel sheeting, covering a floor area of approximately 100 square meters.
The building's floor plan reveals a thoughtful approach to both function and comfort. The main entrance is set on the north side, opening onto a central corridor that divides the interior. To the east lies a Western-style reception room, while the south side features traditional Japanese-style tatami rooms — a harmonious blend of cultures that was characteristic of Meiji-era architecture. The kitchen, bathroom, and utility areas are efficiently grouped in the northwest corner.
The exterior showcases several distinctive Western-influenced design elements. The foundation is built with English-bond brickwork, a durable construction technique imported from Europe. The outer walls feature horizontal weatherboard clapboard siding (下見板張), and the windows are vertical sash windows in the Western style. Decorative moldings frame the window surrounds, adding an elegant touch to the otherwise modest structure. Perhaps the most unique feature shared across the Rokuhara Branch buildings is the ventilation grille fashioned in the shape of the character "六" (six), representing the "Roku" in Rokuhara — a charming and distinctive detail that sets these buildings apart from other military architecture of the era.
Visitor Information
Building No. 1, the largest and most elaborate of the three surviving structures, has been restored and opened to the public as the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum (軍馬の郷六原資料館) since October 2016. The museum displays materials related to the history of the Horse Supplement Department and the contributions of Kuwashima Jūzaburō. Building No. 2 can be viewed from the exterior as part of a visit to the museum grounds. Admission to the museum is free.
The museum is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed during the year-end and New Year period. The buildings are located about a 10-minute drive from JR Kanegasaki Station on the Tōhoku Main Line. The nearest expressway exits are Mizusawa IC and Kitakami-Kanegasaki IC on the Tōhoku Expressway.
Surrounding Attractions
Kanegasaki Town offers a wealth of historical and natural attractions that complement a visit to the former military residences. The Kanegasaki Jōnai Suwa Shōji district is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (重要伝統的建造物群保存地区), where beautifully preserved samurai residences from the Edo period line quiet streets with hedgerows and distinctive zigzag defensive road patterns. The Kanegasaki Yōgai History Museum provides an excellent introduction to the town's samurai heritage.
Nature lovers will enjoy the Iwate Prefectural Flower and Garden Center (岩手県立花きセンター), located just a short distance from the former officer's quarters. The Senganishi Forest Park and Senganishi Onsen offer opportunities for hiking and relaxation in a hot spring bath surrounded by forest. Other nearby hot springs include Nagaoka Onsen Yume no Yu and Kanegasaki Onsen Komako no Yu, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
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Q&A
- What is the former Rokuhara Branch Official Residence Building No. 2?
- It is a single-story wooden residence built in 1911 for officers stationed at the Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department's Rokuhara Branch in Kanegasaki, Iwate Prefecture. It was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2017.
- Can I enter Building No. 2?
- Building No. 1 has been converted into the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum and is open to visitors free of charge. Building No. 2 can typically be appreciated from the exterior when visiting the museum grounds.
- How do I get to the site?
- The site is about a 10-minute drive from JR Kanegasaki Station on the Tōhoku Main Line. By expressway, it is accessible from Mizusawa IC or Kitakami-Kanegasaki IC on the Tōhoku Expressway.
- What is unique about the architecture?
- The building features a blend of Western and Japanese design elements, including English-bond brick foundations, weatherboard clapboard siding, sash windows with decorative moldings, and a distinctive ventilation grille shaped like the character "六" (six), unique to the Rokuhara Branch.
- What else can I see nearby?
- Nearby attractions include the Kanegasaki samurai district (a nationally designated preservation area), the Iwate Prefectural Flower and Garden Center, Senganishi Forest Park, and several hot springs such as Senganishi Onsen and Kanegasaki Onsen Komako no Yu.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence, Building No. 2 (旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第二棟) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Date of Registration | May 2, 2017 |
| Construction Year | 1911 (Meiji 44) |
| Structure | Single-story wooden building, hipped roof with steel sheet roofing, building area approximately 100 m² |
| Address | 16 Kanigosawa, Rokuhara, Kanegasaki-chō, Isawa-gun, Iwate Prefecture |
| Owner | Kanegasaki Town |
| Related Facility | Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum (Building No. 1) |
| Museum Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Wed, Sat, Sun, and public holidays) |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Kanegasaki Station (Tōhoku Main Line) |
| Contact | 0197-43-2077 (Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum) |
References
- 旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第二棟 - 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/222497
- 国登録有形文化財 軍馬の郷六原資料館 | 金ケ崎町役場
- https://www.town.kanegasaki.iwate.jp/docs/2017122800027/
- 軍馬の郷六原資料館 - Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%BB%8D%E9%A6%AC%E3%81%AE%E9%83%B7%E5%85%AD%E5%8E%9F%E8%B3%87%E6%96%99%E9%A4%A8
- 旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第二棟 | いわての文化情報大事典
- http://www.bunka.pref.iwate.jp/archive/hist588
- 国指定文化財等データベース
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00011402
Last verified: 2026.04.13