The oldest storehouse, in the northwest corner
The Kobaien Inui Storehouse (古梅園乾蔵, Kōbaien Inuigura) in Tsubaicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, is the storehouse in the northwest corner of the property at Kobaien, the sumi ink maker founded in 1577; it was built in the Meiji era (1868 to 1911) and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 1998/01/16 (number 29-0018). The Kobaien Inui Storehouse is an earthen storehouse in the northwest corner of the plot, with its entrance on the long side. Inui is the old word for northwest, and the name comes from its position. The ridge runs north to south, and a covered loading space, the kuramae, opens on the east.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the Meiji era: earthen-walled dozō construction, 2 storeys, tiled, with a building area of 33 square metres. It is the only one of the 25 registered Kobaien buildings that goes back to Meiji.
A store for the ink moulds
It was built to hold household goods, but today it stores the wooden moulds for the ink. Kobaien explains that the moulds are carved from pear wood with the characters and designs that appear on each stick. Kneaded ink is pressed into them to take its shape, so the moulds hold the designs of the house.
The walls are plastered over a boarded base. On the north gable the boarding is carried right up to the cornice, which the Agency says adds variety to a townscape of white walls.
Seeing it
The Kobaien property is a private home and a working factory, and the interior of the Kobaien Inui Storehouse is not open. Its exterior can be seen from the lane along the north side of the plot. Look for the north gable boarded all the way up to the cornice.
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 does "inui" mean in the Kobaien Inui Storehouse?
- Northwest. The storehouse stands in the northwest corner of the property.
- What is kept in the Kobaien Inui Storehouse?
- The wooden moulds for the ink. It was originally a store for household goods.
- How old is the Kobaien Inui Storehouse?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the Meiji era, the oldest of the 25 registered Kobaien buildings.
- Can visitors see the Kobaien Inui Storehouse?
- The interior is not open, but the exterior can be seen from the lane to the north.
- When was the Kobaien Inui Storehouse registered as a cultural property?
- On 1998/01/16, as Registered Tangible Cultural Property number 29-0018.
Basic Information
| Name | Kobaien Inui Storehouse (古梅園乾蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 8-2 Tsubakiicho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and other locations |
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure); registration number 29-0018 |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/01/16 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, 2 storeys, tiled roof; building area 33 square metres |
| Owner | Kobaien Co., Ltd. |
| Public Access | Interior not open; exterior visible from the lane to the north |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs) — Kobaien Inui Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000466
- Cultural Heritage Online — Kobaien Inui Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/176686
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — Company profile and opening hours
- https://kobaien.jp/profile.html
- Kobaien Co., Ltd. — How sumi is made
- https://kobaien.jp/sumitanjyo.html
Last verified: 2026.10.02
