Kawase Family Residence South Earthen Wall

About the Kawase Family Residence South Earthen Wall

The Kawase Family Residence South Earthen Wall (河瀬家住宅南土塀, Kawase-ke Jūtaku Minami Dobei) is an earthen wall built around 1942 in Tamoncho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and was entered on Japan's register of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties on March 27, 2006. Tile-capped, it runs for 25 m.

It stands in two parts on either side of the front gate. The eastern section runs north to south; the western section turns to form a Masugata-like enclosure. It went up at about the same time the gate was brought from Yakushi-in at Tōdai-ji, as the street-facing boundary of the house.

Andesite Footing and Layers of Tile

The Kawase south wall rests on a footing of Mikasa andesite (三笠安山岩). Above it, the face of the wall shows the edges of roof tiles set in course after course, and a small roof of Sangawara-buki pantiles caps the top.

Those exposed tile edges give the wall its character: thin horizontal lines, stacked one above another. Stone base, banded wall and tiled coping read clearly from the street as three distinct layers.

Horizontal Lines, Quiet Weight

The Agency for Cultural Affairs singles out those tile lines, saying they give the Kawase Family Residence South Earthen Wall a sense of stability. A plain earthen face can look flat; evenly spaced bands of tile keep the eye moving along it and settle the wall firmly on its base.

The late Edo earthen wall inside wraps the main house, while this one was built in 1942 or thereabouts for the side that faces the public. Built to face the street, it takes its character from that banded tile finish.

Why the South Earthen Wall Was Registered

The Kawase Family Residence South Earthen Wall was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. The Agency writes that, together with the front gate, it creates a street scene full of atmosphere.

Gate and wall work as a pair on the Tamoncho lane, giving the entrance to the house its composed look, and it is that contribution to the streetscape that the registration rewards.

Seeing the Kawase South Wall

Because the Kawase south wall faces the street, its exterior can be seen from the lane. The compound behind it is private and cannot be entered (checked September 2026). The banded tile work is on the outer face, so there is no need to go close to see it. There is no official guidance on photography; avoid capturing the house beyond the wall. Directions to the estate are on the Kawase Family Residence page.