Matsuoka Family Residence Annex

A Brewer's Laboratory

The Matsuoka Family Residence Annex (松岡家住宅離れ, Hanare) is a small single-storey timber building erected in the early Taishō era in the Matsuoka sake brewer's compound in Hongō, Hidaka Village, Kōchi Prefecture, and registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 2 March 2004. It stands south of the Main House, built against the brick wall along the front of the property.

It is 2 bays square, with a building area of just 8.9 square meters, among the smallest of the twelve listed structures at the Matsuoka Family Residence.

It is registered as an annex, but according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs it was first used as a sake-brewing research room. No source found for this article records what research was done here, but the room itself says something about a village brewer intent on improving his craft in-house.

Small but Carefully Made

The roof is a hipped Yosemune-zukuri form in pantiles, carried on a single layer of widely spaced rafters, a plain and economical eave.

It stands on tortoise-shell masonry, the same stonework as the front wall and the base of the Rice Storehouse. The shutter box and lower wall are clad in lapped boards held by battens, and above them the wall is finished in Shinkabe style with the posts left visible. The switch from boards to exposed frame gives a small building a settled face.

The Agency describes the Matsuoka Family Residence Annex as small but carefully made. It was listed for its contribution to the historic landscape, forming part of the front of the compound together with the south wall.

A Knot Between Two Walls

The Matsuoka Family Residence Annex ties two structures together. On the south it abuts the brick wall at the front of the property; on the north, the left wing wall of the Brewery Gate and Fence runs into it. The perimeter wall and the interior partition become one continuous line through this building.

Look for the change from board cladding on the shutter box to exposed framing above. Within 2 bays square it gathers stone base, boards, open framing and a hipped tile roof, the full vocabulary of the family side of the compound.

With its first use in mind, note the size and placement of the windows, and how light was brought to a workbench.

Visiting

The Matsuoka Family Residence Annex stands within the grounds and its interior is not open. Visit on an event day or arrange access with the Hidaka Sakagura Association.

Booking details and directions are on the Matsuoka Family Residence page.