Shimanouchi Katsuyuki Family Residence Outer Wall

What the Shimanouchi Katsuyuki Family Residence Outer Wall Is

The Shimanouchi Katsuyuki Family Residence Outer Wall (島内克之家住宅外塀) is a tile-capped earthen wall of 1911 in Kamioka, Noichi-cho, Konan City, Kochi Prefecture, forming the eastern half of the estate's front, and was listed as Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 25 June 2002.

It starts at the southeast corner of the Nagayamon gatehouse, turns a corner and runs back along the east side of the property. It is only about 6.5 metres long, the smallest structure on the register after the water-drawing pond.

The wall is built in two layers. A high base of natural stone is laid in a tortoise-shell pattern; above it rises an earthen wall finished in Tosa plaster, capped with a small roof of pantiles, Sangawara-buki.

Why It Was Listed

The Outer Wall was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs reads it as one half of a pair. West of the gatehouse runs a clapboard fence; east of it stands this wall of stone and plaster. The contrast between the two, flanking the gate, is what finishes the formal front of the homestead.

That is why a stretch of wall 6.5 metres long has its own entry on the register. The gatehouse alone would not complete the front; gate and flanking walls together are what show the face the family gave its property in 1911.

What to Look For

Start with the stone base of the Shimanouchi Katsuyuki Family Residence Outer Wall. Natural stones are fitted so that their joints form a web of polygons, like the plates of a tortoise shell. Fitting irregular stones this tightly takes time and skill, and because the base is set high, the lower half of the wall looks dense and heavy.

Then look up at the white Tosa plaster and the miniature tiled roof along the top. Stone, plaster and tile are stacked in three bands within a wall of modest height.

Follow the corner. The wall leaves the gatehouse and turns at the edge of the property to run north along the east side, carrying the formal front round the corner rather than stopping at the gate.

Finally, look across the gate to the board fence on the west side. Two walls, the same year, the same gate, and entirely different materials.

Visiting

The Shimanouchi Katsuyuki Family Residence Outer Wall belongs to a private home and there is no access to the property. Neither the Konan City nor the Kochi Prefecture cultural property lists give any visiting information (checked 26 September 2026).

Standing at the southeast corner of the front, the wall is relatively likely to be visible from outside, but whether there is a public place to stand in front of it has not been confirmed.

No notice about photography was found. Do not touch the wall or climb on the stonework.