A Wall of Beach Stones
The Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall (濱田典彌家住宅石垣塀, Hamada Norihiro-ke Jūtaku Ishigakibei) is a concrete boundary wall of about 1934 that closes off the southeast corner of the Hamada Norihiro family's compound in Otsu, Nahari Town, Aki District, Kochi Prefecture, and it was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 8 November 2004.
The Hamada Norihiro stone wall turns a corner as it runs, 24 meters long in all, 1.9 meters high and 0.3 meters thick. It is registered as a single structure.
Why It Was Registered: A Local Wall Type
The Agency for Cultural Affairs presents the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall as an example of a stone wall of the kind known locally as 豆板塀, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape.
It is built in Nerizumi fashion, with stones from the beach laid up in concrete. The name calls it a stone wall, but unlike a dry-laid stone wall, concrete fills every joint. The rounded stones show as dots scattered across the face. No public source we found explains where the local name comes from.
On Nahari's coast, beach stones were the material closest to hand. Pairing them with concrete, then spreading to provincial towns in the early Showa era, produced walls that shape the look of the streets.
Brick Corners and Coping
Where the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall turns an outside corner, cement bricks are stacked like quoins to square it off, and the same cement bricks cap the top of the wall as Coping stone coping.
Against the uneven face of the stones, only the corners and the top run in straight brick lines. That contrast, rough beach stone framed by crisp brick edges, is the thing to look for.
Visiting
The Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall encloses a residence, and there is no public access to the grounds.
It stands at the southeast corner of the lot, closer to the outside of the compound than any of the other four registered parts, but the official records do not say which road it faces or how much of it is visible. If you do see it, please do not touch or lean on the wall. Directions are on the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence page.
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Q&A
- What is the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall made of?
- Beach stones set in concrete, laid up as a solid masonry wall 24 meters long, 1.9 meters high and 0.3 meters thick. It is cited as an example of a local wall type.
- When was the Hamada Norihiro stone wall built and registered?
- It is dated to about 1934 and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 8 November 2004, under registration number 39-0181.
- How are the corners and top of the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall finished?
- Cement bricks are stacked like quoins at the outside corners, and the same bricks form coping along the top.
- Where is the Hamada Norihiro stone wall?
- At 1028-1 Otsu, Nahari, where it bends around the southeast corner of the Hamada Norihiro family's compound.
- Can I see the Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall?
- There is no public opening and the grounds cannot be entered. How much of the wall is visible from outside has not been confirmed.
Basic Information
| Name | Hamada Norihiro Family Residence Stone Wall (濱田典彌家住宅石垣塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1028-1 Otsu, Nahari-cho, Aki-gun, Kochi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 8 November 2004 |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Concrete (beach stones laid in concrete), 24 meters long, 1.9 meters high, 0.3 meters thick |
| Owner | Not listed (owner field blank in the ACA database) |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (no public opening announced) |
References
- 濱田典彌家住宅石垣塀 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00004467
- 濱田典彌家住宅石垣塀 (Cultural Heritage Online)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/117547
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Buildings), Kochi Prefecture
- https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/doc/2023062200186/
Last verified: 2026.10.01
