Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence, Building No. 3
Nestled in the quiet rural landscape of Kanegasaki Town in Iwate Prefecture, this unassuming single-story wooden building carries within its walls over a century of Japanese military and modernization history. Building No. 3 of the Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence is one of only three surviving officers' quarters from a once-extensive military horse-breeding facility that played a vital role in Japan's modernization during the Meiji era. Registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2017, this Western-style wooden residence offers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of military officers stationed in Japan's rural northeast during the early twentieth century.
Historical Background
In 1896 (Meiji 29), the Imperial Japanese Army established the Military Horse Supplement Department (Gunba Hojūbu) to systematically breed and supply horses for military use across the nation. Two years later, in 1898 (Meiji 31), the Rokuhara Branch was established in what was then Aigo Village (present-day Kanegasaki Town) in the Rokuhara district of Isawa County, Iwate Prefecture. The establishment of this branch was largely due to the efforts of Kuwashima Jūsaburō, who served as both village mayor and Isawa County assembly member, and worked tirelessly to bring the facility to the area.
The branch was responsible for breeding, raising, and supplying military horses, and its presence brought significant modernization to the surrounding rural community. At its peak, nine residential quarters were built for branch chiefs and officers. Building No. 3 was constructed around 1911 (Meiji 44) as part of this residential complex. Following military downsizing, the Rokuhara Branch was closed in 1925 (Taishō 14), and the vast tract of land it occupied eventually became home to the Iwate Prefectural Agricultural College, which today boasts the largest campus area of any agricultural college in Japan at 308 hectares.
Of the original nine officers' quarters, only three buildings survive today. Building No. 1 was renovated in 2015 and reopened in 2016 as the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum (Military Horse Heritage Rokuhara Museum), while Buildings No. 2 and No. 3 stand alongside it as preserved examples of Meiji-era military residential architecture. Notably, the renowned author Miyazawa Kenji visited the Rokuhara Branch on a school excursion with students from Hanamaki Agricultural School on April 29, 1924, and the experience influenced his literary works.
Reasons for Cultural Property Registration
Building No. 3 was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property on May 2, 2017, together with Buildings No. 1 and No. 2. The registration recognizes several important aspects of the structure. First, the building is a rare surviving example of military officers' quarters from the Meiji era. While Building No. 1 served as a senior field officer (sakan-kyū) residence, Buildings No. 2 and No. 3 represent a slightly simpler configuration intended for lower-ranking officers, yet they retain the same essential Western-style architectural features.
The precise construction date of 1911 is documented, making the building historically valuable as a datable example of early twentieth-century military residential architecture. The group of three surviving buildings together provides a comprehensive picture of the hierarchy and design principles that governed military housing in rural Japan during the Meiji period.
Architectural Highlights
Building No. 3 is a single-story wooden structure with a hipped roof (yosemune-zukuri) clad in steel sheeting, covering a building area of approximately 100 square meters. It stands to the north of Building No. 2, oriented on an east-west axis.
The exterior showcases distinctive Western-style design elements characteristic of Meiji-era architecture. The foundation is built with English-bond brickwork (Igirisu-zumi), a construction technique introduced from the West that was considered advanced for the time. The outer walls feature weatherboard cladding (shitami-ita-bari), giving the building a distinctly Western appearance that would have been quite striking in the rural Tōhoku landscape of the early 1900s.
The windows are of the sash type (age-sage mado), which slide vertically — another hallmark of Western architectural influence. These windows are framed with decorative moldings (mōrudingu) that add an elegant touch to the otherwise restrained facade. The interior layout mirrors that of Building No. 2, with rooms arranged along a central corridor. One of the most charming details found across the Rokuhara Branch buildings is a ventilation grille designed in the shape of the character "六" (roku, meaning "six"), a unique motif referencing the Rokuhara district name.
Visitor Information
Building No. 3 can be viewed from the exterior as part of a visit to the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum complex, which is housed in the adjacent Building No. 1. The museum displays historical materials related to the military horse supplement department, photographs, and artifacts from the Meiji era, including materials about Kuwashima Jūsaburō, the local leader who helped establish the branch.
The museum is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is closed during the year-end holidays and from January through March. Admission is free. The site is located approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Kanegasaki Station. There is no regular public bus service directly to the museum, so visitors are advised to travel by car or taxi.
Surrounding Attractions
Kanegasaki Town offers several other worthwhile destinations that pair well with a visit to the military heritage site. The Iwate Prefectural Flower and Garden Center (Iwate Kenritsu Hanaki Center) is located just a short walk from the museum complex and features over 200 varieties of subtropical plants in its greenhouses, as well as seasonal flower displays in outdoor gardens. Admission is free.
The Kanegasaki Jōnai Suwa Kōji district is designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, preserving the atmosphere of a castle town from the Edo period when Kanegasaki served as the northern frontier of the Date domain. The Kanegasaki Yōgai History Museum within this district provides further context about the town's samurai heritage.
Nature lovers will enjoy Senganishi Forest Park, approximately 15 minutes by car from Kanegasaki Station. The park offers camping facilities, bungalows, walking trails through beautiful forests, and views of the Senganishi reservoir, which is listed among Japan's Top 100 Irrigation Ponds. Nearby, Senganishi Onsen provides a relaxing hot spring experience with sodium-bicarbonate and chloride spring waters.
For those interested in broader regional exploration, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi, with its famous Chūson-ji Temple and Mōtsū-ji Temple, lies about 30 kilometers to the south and can be reached in approximately 40 minutes by car.
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Q＆A
- What is the difference between Building No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3?
- Building No. 1 is the largest of the three (117 square meters) and served as a senior field officer's residence. It features two entrances, thought to accommodate mounting and dismounting horses, and now functions as the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum. Buildings No. 2 and No. 3 are slightly smaller (100 square meters each) with a simpler layout, designed for lower-ranking officers, though they share the same Western-style architectural details.
- Can I enter Building No. 3?
- Building No. 3 can typically be appreciated from the exterior. The interior museum experience is available in Building No. 1 (the Gunba no Sato Rokuhara Museum). For the latest information on interior access to Buildings No. 2 and No. 3, please contact the Kanegasaki Town Central Lifelong Education Center at 0197-44-3123.
- Is there an English guide or pamphlet available?
- As this is a small local museum, English-language materials may be limited. It is recommended to research the history beforehand or to use a translation app during your visit. The town's tourism office may be able to arrange assistance if contacted in advance.
- What is the connection between this site and Miyazawa Kenji?
- The celebrated Iwate-born author Miyazawa Kenji visited the Rokuhara Branch on a school excursion on April 29, 1924, with students from Hanamaki Agricultural School. The visit is believed to have influenced his literary works, including his drama "Night on Taneyama Plateau." The branch also maintained a satellite station at Taneyamagahara, which features prominently in Kenji's writings.
- How do I get to the site by public transportation?
- The nearest station is JR Kanegasaki Station on the Tōhoku Main Line. From the station, the site is approximately 10 minutes by car or taxi. There is no direct bus service to the museum. If driving, the site is accessible from the Kitakami-Kanegasaki Interchange on the Tōhoku Expressway.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Imperial Japanese Army Horse Supplement Department Rokuhara Branch Official Residence, Building No. 3 (旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第三棟) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Classification | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | May 2, 2017 |
| Construction Year | 1911 (Meiji 44) |
| Structure | Single-story wooden construction, hipped roof with steel sheet roofing, building area approximately 100 m² |
| Address | 16 Kaniko-zawa, Rokuhara, Kanegasaki Town, Isawa County, Iwate Prefecture 029-4501 |
| Owner | Kanegasaki Town |
| Museum Hours | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Wed, Sat, Sun); Closed January–March and year-end holidays |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Kanegasaki Station (Tōhoku Main Line) |
| Contact | Kanegasaki Town Central Lifelong Education Center: 0197-44-3123 |
References
- 旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第三棟 - 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/245188
- 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/軍馬の郷六原資料館
- 旧陸軍省軍馬補充部六原支部官舎第一棟 | いわての文化情報大事典
- http://www.bunka.pref.iwate.jp/archive/hist570
- 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