A Reception Wing for a New Century
The Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing (藤岡家住宅新座敷, Fujioka-ke Jūtaku Shin-zashiki) is a suite of formal rooms built in 1912 in Konnaicho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2006. It is the youngest of the ten registered structures, completed 115 years after the Inner Storehouse of 1797.
It sits near the middle of the southern part of the plot, with the Detached Room attached on its north side. The single-storey timber building has a hipped roof (yosemune) in pantiles, and on the south a lower roof projects over a formal entrance with a raised step (Shikidai). The building area is 116 square metres.
Inside are two rooms: 15 mats on the west and 10 on the east, each with a formal alcove (Tokonoma). Fine timber is used everywhere, from the posts to the ceiling boards.
Modern Japanese Style
The Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing was registered as a model of architectural form. The Agency for Cultural Affairs sees in its choice of materials the character of modern Japanese-style architecture, the traditional building of the Meiji era and after.
By then sawmilling and timber distribution had made it possible to pick outstanding wood almost at will. Edo-period reception rooms were built within codes tied to social rank; a late Meiji client could put wealth and taste straight into the quality of the timber.
The compound also keeps an Edo-period reception building, the Annex Reception Wing of 1853, so two sets of formal rooms more than half a century apart can be compared on one property. The older one offers two 8-mat rooms of restrained dignity; the New Reception Wing receives guests in 15 and 10 mats.
The Entrance and the Alcoves
From outside, look at the south entrance. Its roof sits a step below the main roof and pushes forward, announcing a formal door for guests. It is a different order of entrance from the earthen doorway of the Main House used every day.
Once inside, study the alcove posts and the ceiling. The matching of grain on the posts and the width and tone of the ceiling boards show how much care the client took over timber at the close of the Meiji era. Look from the 15-mat room through to the 10-mat room and it is clear the two were planned as one sequence for receiving guests.
The Tsuiji Wall, having run round the outer edge of the plot, ends at the west side of the New Reception Wing, so the newest reception rooms close the line of the southern enclosure.
Visiting the New Reception Wing
The Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing is open on opening days of the house museum. The reception rooms are sometimes rented for meetings, tea gatherings and meals, and on event days a room in use may be closed to visitors. Call ahead if seeing these rooms matters to you.
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Q&A
- When was the Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing built?
- In 1912, making it the newest of the registered buildings in the compound. It was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2006.
- What rooms are in the Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing?
- A 15-mat room on the west and a 10-mat room on the east, each with a formal alcove. A formal entrance projects on the south side.
- Can visitors enter the Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing?
- Yes, on opening days of the house museum. The rooms are sometimes used for events or rentals, so it is worth calling ahead.
- Why was the Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing registered?
- As a model of architectural form. Its use of fine timber from posts to ceiling boards was judged characteristic of modern Japanese-style architecture.
- How does the Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing differ from the Annex Reception Wing?
- The Annex Reception Wing dates from 1853 and has two 8-mat rooms; the New Reception Wing dates from 1912 and has rooms of 15 and 10 mats. Together they show two eras of reception rooms on one property.
Basic Information
| Name | Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing (藤岡家住宅新座敷) |
|---|---|
| Location | 526 Konnaicho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0101; criterion: model of architectural form |
| Year Designated | Registered 2006/03/02 (Heisei 18) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Single-storey timber structure, hipped roof, pantile roofing, building area 116 square metres |
| Owner | Private (Fujioka family); managed by NPO Uchinono Yakata |
| Public Access | Interior open on Fujioka Family Residence opening days (admission charged; closed Mondays); rooms may be in use on event days |
References
- National Cultural Properties Database, Agency for Cultural Affairs — Fujioka Family Residence New Reception Wing
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00005342
- Gojo City — Registered Tangible Cultural Properties in Gojo
- https://www.city.gojo.lg.jp/soshiki/kankoshinko/5_1/5/2110.html
- Nara Prefecture official tourism site (Aoniyoshi Naratabi Net) — Fujioka Family Residence
- https://yamatoji.nara-kankou.or.jp/03history/02old_house/04south_area/fujiokake/
Last verified: 2026.09.26
