A storehouse for the household
The Kobaien East Inner Storehouse (古梅園東内蔵, Kōbaien Higashi-uchigura) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is a 2-storey storehouse for household furnishings at Kobaien, the sumi ink maker founded in 1577; it was built early in the Taishō era (1912 to 1925) and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 1998/01/16 (number 29-0009). The Kobaien East Inner Storehouse stands southwest of the detached parlor, facing the passage that runs in from the great door on the street. It is a 2-storey storehouse used for the household, holding furnishings and family goods rather than stock or tools.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the early Taishō era: earthen-walled dozō construction, 2 storeys, tiled, with a building area of 44 square metres.
A storehouse built to the house standard
The walls are thick ōkabe plaster with a stepped plaster cornice, the nokijabara, under the eaves and boarding along the base, the standard finish for the Kobaien storehouses. Small openings pierce the upper floor on both the gable and the long sides.
A covered loading space, the kuramae, is attached to the east gable. The Kobaien East Inner Storehouse is one of 3 inner storehouses around the family quarters, and the first one you meet walking in along the passage.
Seeing it
The Kobaien East Inner Storehouse lies inside the Kobaien property and is not open to the public; it can scarcely be seen from the street or the lanes.
Kobaien takes factory visits by reservation, with a hand-gripped ink experience in the ink-making season; ask when booking which buildings the visit includes. Shop hours, how to book a factory visit and directions from the station are on the Kobaien page.
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Q&A
- What is the Kobaien East Inner Storehouse used for?
- Storing household furnishings and family goods.
- What does the Kobaien East Inner Storehouse look like?
- A plastered storehouse with a stepped cornice under the eaves, a boarded base and small upper windows.
- How large is the Kobaien East Inner Storehouse?
- A 2-storey storehouse with a building area of 44 square metres.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien East Inner Storehouse?
- It is not open to the public. Factory visits are by reservation; ask Kobaien what the visit covers.
- When was the Kobaien East Inner Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0009.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien East Inner Storehouse (古梅園東内蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 7 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0009 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys, tiled roof; building area 44 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (factory visits by reservation) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien East Inner Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000457
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien East Inner Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/113537
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
