What Remains of the Boundary Wall
The Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall (東山家住宅石塀) is a stone boundary wall of about 1905 in Nahari Town, Aki District, Kochi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on January 31, 2003 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a stone wall with a tiled coping, 3.2 metres long; registration number 39-0070.
The Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall is a surviving part of the boundary wall that once ran along the east edge of the lot (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Beach Cobbles Set in Mortar
The Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall stands about 1.8 metres high and 0.5 metres thick, capped with pantiles (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is built of beach cobbles bedded in mortar, a technique called neri-zumi, with the long faces of the stones turned toward the garden.
Only 3.2 metres survive. Even so, the north end is finished with corner stones stacked in 4 courses, which the Agency takes as the mark of a properly built mortared cobble wall.
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall for its contribution to the historic landscape. Little of it is left, but the care taken over its north end, with corner stones in 4 courses, is what the registration recognises.
What to Look For
Head for the north end, where corner stones are stacked in 4 courses to close off the wall (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The garden side shows the rounded long faces of the cobbles, and pantiles run along the top.
At 1.8 metres it stands a little above head height, and at 0.5 metres thick it has real mass for so short a stretch.
Visiting
The Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall is on the east edge of the lot, and its finished face looks toward the garden (Agency for Cultural Affairs). We could not confirm how much of it is visible from outside, and no information on public access was found. Please do not enter the property.
Q&A
- When was the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall built?
- In about 1905 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall made of?
- Beach cobbles bedded in mortar, 1.8 metres high and 0.5 metres thick, capped with pantiles.
- How much of the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall survives?
- A stretch of 3.2 metres, finished at the north end with corner stones in 4 courses.
- Can I see the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall?
- It is on the east edge of the lot; we could not confirm how much is visible from outside, and no information on public access was found.
- When was the Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall registered?
- On January 31, 2003 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall (東山家住宅石塀) |
|---|---|
| Location | Otsu 1281-2, Nahari Town, Aki District, Kochi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2003/01/31 (Heisei 15) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Stone, tiled coping, 3.2 m long |
| Owner | Not listed in the Agency database |
| Public Access | No information on public access |
References
- Higashiyama Family Residence Stone Wall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003166
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures), Towns and Villages (Kochi Prefecture, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.kochi.lg.jp/doc/2024031100049/
Last verified: 2026.10.19
