The Stone Wall
The Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall (旧鯵坂家住宅石塀) is the stone wall of a house compound of the late Meiji period (1898–1912) in Kaseda Takeda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on June 21, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone wall with a total length of 52 metres; registration number 46-0109.
It runs along the city road on the west side of the house and beside a path inside the plot (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Dressed Tuff, Laid Tight
The Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall is built of rectangular blocks of tuff laid in level courses to a height of about 1 metre, with the faces finished in the Edokiri manner (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
At each outside corner, the upper edge of the top block is carved so that it turns upward (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall for its contribution to the historic landscape, seeing in its careful coursing and corner detail a mark of how Kaseda households enclosed their plots. The Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education likewise treats the stone walls and hedges of the residence as original.
What to Look For
Walk to a corner: the slight upturn of the top block gives the end of an otherwise straight wall its character.
Because the blocks are laid in even courses, the horizontal joints run unbroken along the wall. The walls beside the gate also stand on cut tuff, so the stone wall and the gate read as one stone frontage.
Visiting
The roadside stretch of the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall can be seen from the city road even while the compound is closed for works (Agency for Cultural Affairs; Minamisatsuma City). The stretch beside the path inside the plot will have to wait until it reopens.
Q&A
- How long is the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall?
- 52 metres in total, and about 1 metre high (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What stone is the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall made of?
- Rectangular blocks of tuff with dressed faces (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What should I look for at the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall?
- The upturned top edge at the outside corners and the even horizontal joints.
- Can I see the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall?
- The roadside stretch can be seen from the city road; the part inside the plot must wait until the compound reopens after its works.
- When was the Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall registered?
- On June 21, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall (旧鯵坂家住宅石塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 17830-1 Shimo-Konosu, Kaseda Takeda, Minamisatsuma City, Kagoshima Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2013/06/21 (Heisei 25) |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone, total length 52 m |
| Owner | Minamisatsuma City |
| Public Access | Closed for works until further notice (roadside stretch visible from the city road) |
References
- Former Ajisaka Family Residence Stone Wall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00009693
- Former Ajisaka Family Residence (Japan Heritage Portal, Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education, Japanese)
- https://japan-heritage.bunka.go.jp/ja/culturalproperties/result/4681/
- Notice on the works at the Former Ajisaka Family Residence (Minamisatsuma City, Japanese)
- https://www.city.minamisatsuma.lg.jp/living/oshirase/e044092.html
Last verified: 2026.11.08
