Local Storehouse Museum Sairi Yashikidō No Kura

Warabe no Kura: A Taisho-Era Treasure at Sairi Yashiki

Tucked within the sprawling grounds of Sairi Yashiki in the quiet town of Marumori, Miyagi Prefecture, Warabe no Kura (童の蔵, "Children's Storehouse") is the smallest yet one of the most endearing buildings in this remarkable complex. Built during the Taisho period (1912–1926), this compact two-story earthen storehouse was registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property in January 2011, along with eleven other structures on the estate. Today, it serves as a delightful exhibition space dedicated to traditional toys and games from the Taisho and early Showa eras, offering visitors a heartwarming glimpse into the world of children's play in early 20th-century Japan.

The Saito Family Legacy: Seven Generations of Prosperity

To understand Warabe no Kura, one must first know the story of the Saito family and their estate. Beginning in 1804, during the late Edo period, the Saito family built a commercial empire in Marumori. The successive heads of the family all bore the name Saito Risuke (齋藤理助), which gave rise to the estate's popular name, "Sairi." Starting as kimono and textile merchants, the family expanded into sericulture, raw silk trading, miso and soy sauce brewing, and garment manufacturing, amassing a fortune estimated at several billion yen in today's terms at their peak during the Taisho era.

The Saito family was not merely a wealthy merchant household. They were deeply committed to the welfare of Marumori, establishing a silk-reeling factory called Buyokan, an electric lighting company named Kiyotaki Dento, and a bridge-building venture called Gumaisha. They also contributed to the relocation and consolidation of local shrines and funded the construction of a new school building for Marumori Elementary. In 1986, the seventh-generation head of the family donated the entire estate and its vast collection of artifacts to the town, and two years later, in 1988, Sairi Yashiki opened as the "Kura no Kyodokan" (Storehouse Folk Museum).

Warabe no Kura: Architecture and Cultural Significance

Warabe no Kura stands to the east of Toki no Kura (Time Storehouse), separated by a narrow path. Despite being the smallest storehouse in the complex at just 15 square meters, it possesses a dignified and refined appearance that exemplifies traditional dozo (earthen storehouse) construction techniques.

The building is a two-story structure built in the dozo style, with an okiyane (raised roof) format featuring a gable-fronted design with a copper-plate roof. The storehouse measures 4.4 meters along the ridge and 3.4 meters in depth. Its exterior walls are finished in white plaster, with the hachimaki (headband) accent rendered in black plaster and the lower portion featuring the distinctive namako-kabe (sea cucumber wall) pattern — a hallmark of traditional Japanese storehouse architecture. Double-leaf doors are fitted at the entrance on the east gable and at a second-floor opening, maintaining the building's original character.

The Cultural Heritage Online database of Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs describes Warabe no Kura as forming a "dignified exterior despite its small scale," recognizing both its architectural integrity and its contribution to the overall composition of the Sairi Yashiki estate.

Why Warabe no Kura Was Designated a Cultural Property

On January 26, 2011, twelve structures within the Sairi Yashiki complex were registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. This designation recognizes buildings and structures that are historically or architecturally significant and worthy of preservation. Warabe no Kura earned its registration as a well-preserved example of Taisho-era dozo construction. Although modest in size, the storehouse demonstrates the same careful craftsmanship and traditional techniques seen in the larger storehouses of the complex, including the use of plaster finishes, namako-kabe detailing, and copper-plate roofing.

The twelve registered properties together — including the Mise-gura (Shop Storehouse, dating to 1848), Yome no Kura (Bride's Storehouse), Sumi no Kura (Dwelling Storehouse), Waza no Kura (Business Storehouse), Toki no Kura (Time Storehouse), Warabe no Kura, the Stone Bath, Lightning Rod Tower, Outdoor Lamp, Stone Electric Poles, the Front Gate, and the Rear Gate and Wall — constitute a remarkably complete ensemble of merchant estate architecture spanning from the late Edo through the early Showa periods.

Inside Warabe no Kura: A World of Nostalgic Play

Today, Warabe no Kura houses a charming exhibition that recreates the world of traditional play from the Taisho and Showa eras. Stepping through the heavy double doors, visitors discover a collection that includes model airplanes, bamboo dragonflies (taketombo), handmade folk toys, and even a vintage jukebox — objects that evoke the ingenuity and simplicity of an era before electronic entertainment.

The exhibition is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. Children can discover how their great-grandparents' generation entertained themselves, while older visitors may find themselves transported back to their own childhood memories. The intimate scale of the storehouse creates a cozy, almost secret-like atmosphere that makes the experience especially memorable.

Exploring the Full Sairi Yashiki Complex

A visit to Warabe no Kura is best enjoyed as part of a full exploration of the Sairi Yashiki estate. The 6,535-square-meter grounds contain a residence, six storehouses (one not open to the public), a stone bathhouse, and two buildings constructed by the town — ten structures in total. Highlights include the following:

• Mise-gura (Shop Storehouse): The oldest building on the estate, dating to 1848, which greets visitors at the entrance along with the elegant Yome no Kura.
• 居宅 (Residence): Features dioramas and displays recreating daily life, as well as seasonal exhibitions for Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) and Tango no Sekku (Boys' Day).
• Sumi no Kura (Dwelling Storehouse): Where over 20 live-in servants called "bantosan" once resided. Original graffiti left by these workers can still be seen on the walls.
• Waza no Kura (Business Storehouse): Showcases the various enterprises that sustained the Saito family's prosperity.
• Toki no Kura (Time Storehouse): Houses an American-made clock that has been ticking for over 130 years, chiming every hour.
• Stone Bathhouse: A Meiji-era stone structure where hot water was prepared from early morning for an evening bath.
• Lightning Rod Tower: Built around 1930 because the seventh-generation head was afraid of thunder — a rare piece of personal infrastructure for a private residence of that era, still operational today.

Visitors are encouraged to don a traditional haori jacket, available on-site, to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Taisho era as they stroll through the grounds.

Seasonal Events and Special Exhibitions

Sairi Yashiki hosts a variety of seasonal events throughout the year that add depth and excitement to any visit. In February and March, the grand 40-tatami-mat room of the residence is adorned with elaborate Hina dolls, Ichimatsu dolls, and luxurious accessories for the "Sairi no Hina Matsuri" exhibition. In early August, the estate and surrounding streets are transformed for "Sairi Gen'ya," a magical one-night festival where approximately 1,000 handmade painted paper lanterns (e-tourou) are lit, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that brings the romance of the Taisho era to life. The event features traditional drumming, storytelling, student performances, and a pedestrian-only zone along the town's central street.

Nearby Attractions in Marumori

Marumori is the southernmost town in Miyagi Prefecture, blessed with the natural beauty of the Abukuma River valley. After visiting Sairi Yashiki, consider exploring these nearby attractions:

• Abukuma Line Boat Cruise: Miyagi Prefecture's only river cruise, offering scenic views of the Abukuma River valley. In winter, cozy kotatsu-heated boats are available.
• Dodōishi Park: A hillside park offering panoramic views of the town, the Abukuma River, and the distant Zao mountain range, with seasonal flowers blooming from spring through autumn.
• Fudōson Park Campground: A campground set within a prefectural natural park, ideal for families and nature lovers.
• Marumori Cat Shrines (Neko-gami-sama): The town is home to over 80 cat deity stone monuments, a unique cultural feature reflecting the area's silkworm-raising heritage.
• Sawajiri Terraced Rice Paddies: Selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Terraced Rice Paddies, offering a stunning example of traditional agricultural landscape.