Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall

About the Outer Wall

The Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall (福田家住宅外塀, Fukuda-ke Jūtaku Sotobei) in Higashisako, Noichi-cho, Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, is a reinforced concrete boundary wall of around 1924, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on August 21, 2002. It runs 59 meters under a tiled coping roof.

The Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall encloses the south, east and north sides of the compound. Along the west edge the guest hall, reception wing, storehouse and gate take its place, so wall and buildings together close the lot on all four sides.

A 2.2-Meter Wall with a Tiled Top

The Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall stands 2.2 meters high, a concrete wall capped with a small pantile roof (Sangawara-buki).

Toward the west end of the north side there is a single small wicket gate (kugurimon), a low opening you stoop through, separate from the main gate.

Joints in the Manner of Mondrian

The Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall was registered as a model of architectural design, under register number 39-0063.

The wall is rendered in mortar, and geometric joint lines are cut into the surface. The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes the pattern as Mondrian-like, recalling the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian and his abstract canvases divided by horizontal and vertical lines.

A traditional form, a wall with a tiled cap, carries an abstract composition of lines. The Agency for Cultural Affairs counts it, along with the reception wing, as a good example of modern design reaching this district.

Seeing the Outer Wall

Because the Fukuda Family Residence Outer Wall runs around the outside of the compound, it is the easiest of the eight to see without entering. Stand close enough to read the joint pattern, and do not touch the wall.

No public opening has been announced, and the grounds are not open to visitors. Access details for the whole compound are on the Fukuda Family Residence group page.