A Sendai-Domain Farmhouse at Kozoji
The Former Sato Family Residence (旧佐藤家住宅) is a thatched farmhouse of the later Edo period (1751 to 1829) in the grounds of Kozoji in Takakura, Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on August 13, 1971. A medium-sized farmhouse of the former Sendai domain, it is thought to have been built in the mid to late 18th century (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as 14.9 metres by 7.8 metres under a hipped (Yosemune-zukuri) thatched roof. Kakuda City says it was donated to the city when the Sato family planned a new house, and was moved and restored on its present site in 1972.
Why It Was Designated
The Former Sato Family Residence was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1971. According to the Agency, its plan is the "hiroma-type three-room" layout, one of the basic plans of farmhouses of the time.
The earth-floored area, about 40 per cent of the whole, has six thick, rounded posts standing in pairs, with a clear, archaic arrangement of beams (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
What to Look For
The Former Sato Family Residence is a sugoya, a simple rectangular farmhouse, whose heavy hipped thatch is typical of Tohoku farmhouses (Kakuda City).
Kakuda City notes that there is no ceiling, partly because of a domain ban and to let smoke escape, and that the thick, roughly hewn posts follow the archaic toridate structure, with posts and beams that make clever use of curved timber. Stand in the earth-floored area and look up to see the open roof frame.
Visiting the Former Sato Family Residence
According to Kakuda City, the Former Sato Family Residence is open to visitors free of charge, furnished with Edo-period household items to recreate daily life. It is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed over the New Year.
It is about 15 minutes by car from Kakuda Station. The address is 50 Teramae, Takakura, Kakuda City (in the grounds of Kozoji); enquiries to the Kakuda City cultural properties section (0224-62-2527) (Kakuda City).
Q&A
- When was the Former Sato Family Residence built?
- It is thought to date from the mid to late 18th century (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is the plan of the Former Sato Family Residence?
- The hiroma-type three-room plan, with an earth floor taking up about 40 per cent (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Former Sato Family Residence moved to Kozoji?
- It was moved and restored there in 1972 (Kakuda City).
- Can you visit the Former Sato Family Residence?
- Yes, free, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed over the New Year (Kakuda City).
- When was the Former Sato Family Residence designated?
- On August 13, 1971.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Sato Family Residence (Takakura, Kakuda) (旧佐藤家住宅) |
|---|---|
| Location | 50 Teramae, Takakura, Kakuda City, Miyagi Prefecture (Kozoji grounds) |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1971/8/13 (Showa 46) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 14.9 metres by 7.8 metres, yosemune roof, thatched |
| Owner | Kakuda City |
| Public Access | Free entry (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed New Year) |
References
- Former Sato Family Residence (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/127
- Former Sato Family Residence (Kakuda City)
- https://www.city.kakuda.lg.jp/site/kokokakuda/1055.html
Last verified: 2026.10.07