The Wall around Kura no Yakata Sankakutei
The Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Former Sakai Family Residence) Wall (倉の館三角邸（旧堺家住宅）塀) is the boundary wall of a merchant's estate of the early Showa era in Utazu Town, Ayauta District, Kagawa Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber wall roofed in tile, 1.8 metres high and 53 metres long; registration number 37-0316.
Fifty-Three Metres along Two Sides
The Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall bounds the east and north sides of the plot (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is 1.8 m high, turns the corner to run 53 m in all, and is capped with pantiles. A back gate opens near the western end of the north side.
The base is granite on the east side and rendered mortar on the north (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The wall itself is earth plaster set between exposed timber framing, with a small window opening every ken (about 1.8 m).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a contribution to the historic landscape, noting that it gives the estate a dignified outward appearance.
Different Faces Inside and Out
The lower part of the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall is faced with vertical boards on the street side and with woven ajiro panels on the inside (Agency for Cultural Affairs), so the plain face goes to the street and the patterned one to the garden.
What to Look For
Walking along the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall, compare the granite base on the east side with the mortar base on the north, and note the regular rhythm of the small windows. Finding the back gate near the west end of the north side helps in reading the size of the plot.
Visiting
The outer face of the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall can be seen from outside on the east and north sides. The woven inner face is only visible from within the grounds, so ask the Utazu Town Board of Education (tel. 0877-49-8007) about access.
Q&A
- How long and how high is the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall?
- It is 1.8 m high and 53 m long, turning the corner of the plot (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall built?
- Earth plaster between exposed timber framing, a pantile roof and a small window every ken (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Is the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall the same on both sides?
- No. The lower part has vertical boards outside and woven ajiro panels inside (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I see the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei Wall from outside?
- Yes, the outer face on the east and north sides. To see the inner face, ask the Utazu Town Board of Education (tel. 0877-49-8007).
- When was the Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Former Sakai Family Residence) Wall registered?
- On October 2, 2007 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Former Sakai Family Residence) Wall (倉の館三角邸（旧堺家住宅）塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 2147-3 Utazucho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered October 2, 2007 (Heisei 19) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, tile roof, 1.8 m high, 53 m long |
| Owner | Utazu Town |
| Public Access | Exterior visible from outside the grounds; ask the Utazu Town Board of Education about the interior |
References
- Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Former Sakai Family Residence) Wall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00006494
- Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Former Sakai Family Residence) Wall (Cultural Heritage Online, Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/119567
- Kura no Yakata Sankakutei (Utazu Sanpomichi, Utazu Town official visitor site, Japanese)
- https://sanpomichi.town.utazu.lg.jp/spot/entry/old/007491/
Last verified: 2026.11.03
