The Smallest of the Three Storehouses

The Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 (榎原家住宅土蔵一, Ebara-ke Jūtaku Dozō Ichi) is a fireproof storehouse built between 1830 and 1868 in Ozone, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on October 7, 2014. It stands midway along the north edge of the Ebara compound, immediately west of the annex, under registration number 27-0601.

Three storehouses line the north side of the property, running west, and the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 is the easternmost. It is a 2-storey Dozo-zukuri building with its ridge running east to west, measuring 4.7 metres by 3.8 metres, with a building area of 18 square metres: the smallest of the three.

Careful Plasterwork

The Council for Cultural Affairs judged all three storehouses to be carefully built in the dozo manner and to set off the old family's compound. The Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 was registered on that basis, under the criterion of contributing to the historic landscape of the country.

All three share a gabled Kirizuma-zukuri roof of heavy Hongawarabuki tile and plastered walls, but the finishes differ. What marks Storehouse No. 1 is that its plaster runs right up under the eaves, and that key areas are picked out in black plaster.

What to Look For: White Walls, Black Accents

The walls are finished in Shikkui lime plaster, carried up over the eaves' underside so that no timber is left exposed. That was the standard defence against fire for a storehouse. From the ground to about waist height the walls are faced with vertical boards, which protect the plaster from rain splash.

Against the white, certain areas are finished in black plaster. The Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that this tightens the whole elevation, and on a building this small the contrast gives it a crisp outline.

The door opens on the south side under a small canopy; the north side has only a small window. The storehouse turns a closed face toward the outer edge of the property and opens only toward the household inside.

Visiting

The Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 stands within a private residence and is not open to the public. Although it sits on the north edge of the lot, its door faces into the compound and cannot be seen from the street. Photography on the property is not possible.

How the compound developed and how to reach the area are covered on the Ebara Family Residence page.

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Q&A

QCan I visit the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1?
ANo. The Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 stands within a private residence and is not open to visitors.
QWhen was the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 built?
AThe Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the late Edo period, between 1830 and 1868.
QHow big is the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1?
AIt is a 2-storey storehouse measuring 4.7 metres by 3.8 metres, with a building area of 18 square metres, the smallest of the three storehouses on the property.
QHow is the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 different from the other storehouses?
AIts lime plaster runs up under the eaves, and key areas are finished in black plaster. Its ridge runs east to west and its door faces south.
QWhen was the Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 registered?
AIt was registered on October 7, 2014, together with the seven other structures of the Ebara compound.

Basic Information

NameEbara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 (榎原家住宅土蔵一)
Location1-214-1 Ozone and adjoining lots, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture
DesignationRegistered Tangible Cultural Property (Building)
Year DesignatedRegistered 2014/10/7 (Heisei 26)
Quantity1 building
Dimensions2-storey dozo-zukuri storehouse, tiled roof, building area 18 square metres (4.7 metres by 3.8 metres)
OwnerPrivate (not listed in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database)
Public AccessNot open to the public (private residence)

References

Database of National Cultural Properties: Ebara Family Residence Storehouse No. 1 (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00010204
Council for Cultural Affairs report on new Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, March 18, 2014 (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/bunkashingi_toshin_140318.pdf
Osaka Cultural Heritage Navi: Ebara Family Residence
https://osaka-bunkazainavi.org/bunkazai/%E6%A6%8E%E5%8E%9F%E5%AE%B6%E4%BD%8F%E5%AE%85

Last verified: 2026.09.26