The Smallest Storehouse
The Ebiki Archive Storehouse (海老喜文庫蔵, Ebiki Bunkogura) is a late Edo-period (1830–1868) earthen storehouse at the back of the Ebiki brewery premises in Toyoma-machi, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 10 May 2018. It is a two-storey Dozo-zukuri building with a tiled roof and a building area of just 39 square metres, registration number 04-156.
A bunkogura is a store for documents and valued possessions. The Ebiki Archive Storehouse is the smallest of the eight Ebiki buildings but the most elaborately finished, and it stands facing east at the centre of the rear of the lot.
Ornament on a Small Scale
The Ebiki Archive Storehouse was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property as a model of form, and the Agency for Cultural Affairs singles out the decoration of its walls and windows.
The roof is a gabled kirizuma roof in pantiles, with the entrance in the gable end, the arrangement called Tsumairi. On the east side a lean-to Geya shelters the doorway. For so small a building it is plainly meant to be looked at.
Tiles That Change by Floor
The walls of the Ebiki Archive Storehouse are finished in white Shikkui plaster, with a band of Namako-kabe tiles along the lower part. Compare the two floors: on the ground floor the tiles are laid square, with straight joints, while upstairs they are set on the diagonal in the shihan-bari diamond pattern.
The windows repay attention too. Each is sheltered by a double eave, carried on brackets in two tiers with pierced Sukashibori openwork boards between them, and the supporting Mochiokuri are carved with curved mouldings.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes this carving as moulded work (kurigata); Miyagi Prefecture's announcement uses a different term. This article follows the Agency.
Seeing the Ebiki Archive Storehouse
The Ebiki Archive Storehouse stands in the middle of the back of the lot and cannot be seen well from the street. The carved brackets and openwork are details that need a close view.
We found no published arrangement for visiting it. Ask at the Kura no Shiryokan museum whether it can be seen. Photography rules are not stated.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Miyagi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Ebiki Archive Storehouse
- [ Matsushima Bay Cruise & Sendai Food Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Ebiki Archive Storehouse built?
- The Ebiki Archive Storehouse dates from the late Edo period (1830–1868) and was registered on 10 May 2018.
- What is special about the tile walls of the Ebiki Archive Storehouse?
- The ground floor has square-set tiles with straight joints, while the upper floor has tiles set diagonally in a diamond pattern.
- What should I look for around the windows of the Ebiki Archive Storehouse?
- Double eaves on two tiers of brackets with pierced openwork boards, and supporting corbels carved with curved mouldings.
- Why is the Ebiki Archive Storehouse a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- It was registered as a model of form: a small storehouse with finely worked walls and windows.
- Can I visit the Ebiki Archive Storehouse?
- There is no published arrangement for visitors. It stands at the back of the site; ask at the Kura no Shiryokan whether it can be seen.
Basic Information
| Name | Ebiki Archive Storehouse |
|---|---|
| Location | 22 Teraike Mikkamachi, Toyoma-machi, Tome City, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 10 May 2018 |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Two-storey earthen storehouse, tiled roof, building area 39 square metres |
| Owner | Not listed in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Public Access | Not open (no published access) |
References
- 海老喜文庫蔵 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012276
- Registration of Tangible Cultural Properties (Buildings) recommended (Miyagi Prefecture)
- https://www.pref.miyagi.jp/soshiki/bunkazai/touroku-kennzoubutu.html
- List of cultural properties (Tome City Board of Education)
- https://www.city.tome.miyagi.jp/bunkazai/kurashi/kosodate/kyoikuinkai/shakaikyoiku/bunkazai.html
Last verified: 2026.09.29
