Former Tashiro Family Western-style House: A Window into Meiji-Era International Trade in Arita
Standing quietly along the historic streets of Arita's Uchiyama district in Saga Prefecture, the Former Tashiro Family Western-style House (旧田代家西洋館) is a remarkable testament to the vibrant international porcelain trade that once flourished in this small Japanese town. Built in 1876 (Meiji 9), this elegant pseudo-Western building served as a guesthouse and reception hall for foreign merchants who traveled to Arita to purchase the world-renowned Arita ware porcelain. Designated as a national Important Cultural Property in 2018, the building offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal era when Japan opened its doors to international commerce and cultural exchange.
The Historical Background: Arita's Porcelain Trade with the World
The story of the Former Tashiro Western-style House is deeply intertwined with the history of Arita ware, Japan's oldest porcelain tradition dating back to 1616. The Tashiro family were among Arita's most prominent trading merchants, and the family patriarch Tashiro Monzaemon was officially licensed by the Saga Domain as one of only two authorized exporters of Arita porcelain. After the death of fellow exporter Hisatomi Yojibei, Monzaemon became the sole official exporter of Arita ware.
It was Monzaemon's son, Tashiro Josaku, who conceived and built this Western-style house. Having managed the family's porcelain trade in the Shanghai market, Josaku recognized the need for a dedicated space in Arita where foreign merchants could be properly accommodated and entertained during their purchasing visits. In 1876, he commissioned the construction of this remarkable building — a bold architectural statement that bridged East and West, much like the porcelain trade it was built to support.
Architectural Significance: The Art of Giyōfū Design
The Former Tashiro Western-style House is a superb example of giyōfū architecture (擬洋風建築), a uniquely Japanese architectural style that emerged during the early Meiji period. Giyōfū buildings were designed and constructed by traditional Japanese master carpenters who interpreted Western architectural forms through the lens of their own craft traditions, creating distinctive hybrid structures that were neither purely Western nor purely Japanese.
The building was constructed under the direction of master carpenter Tanso Tōzaemon, a specialist in temple and shrine construction (dōmiya daiku). The two-story wooden structure features a tiled roof and plastered exterior walls. The front facade is adorned with a colonnade of round pillars creating a porch on the ground floor and a veranda on the second floor, giving it a distinctly Western appearance. The arched window transoms are decorated with colored stained glass, adding an elegant touch of European sophistication.
Yet step inside, and the fusion of East and West becomes immediately apparent. While Western design elements are incorporated throughout — including a striking spiral staircase in the lobby — the living quarters feature traditional tatami flooring, and the walls and ceilings were originally covered with Japanese washi paper. This harmonious blend of architectural traditions makes the building an exceptionally rare surviving example of residential giyōfū architecture from the early Meiji era.
Why It Was Designated as an Important Cultural Property
The Former Tashiro Western-style House was originally designated as a Saga Prefectural Important Cultural Property in 1977 under the name "Arita Ijinkan" (Arita Foreigners' House). On December 25, 2018, it was elevated to the status of a national Important Cultural Property under its current name.
The designation was made on the basis of its high academic and historical value. The building is recognized as a precious surviving example of residential giyōfū architecture from the early Meiji period, demonstrating how traditional Japanese building techniques were ingeniously adapted to create Western-influenced structures. Furthermore, it provides invaluable insight into the commercial activities and international trading practices in Arita during the dawn of modern Japan, when the porcelain industry was thriving and the town served as a hub for global ceramic trade.
The official name "Former Tashiro Family Western-style House" was determined based on historical documents known as the Tashiro Family Papers, which were donated to Arita Town. These documents, including invitation letters and correspondence, revealed that the building was known as the "Western House" (西洋館) during its active years. A ridge plaque (munefuda) discovered in the attic, dated Meiji 9 (1876), was also designated as an associated cultural property, confirming the construction date and the involvement of master carpenter Tanso Tōzaemon.
Highlights and What to See
The Spiral Staircase
One of the most iconic features of the building is the elegant spiral staircase located in the lobby. Considered revolutionary for its time, this staircase embodies the building's fusion of Western design ambition with Japanese carpentry expertise. It remains one of the most photographed elements of the house.
Stained Glass and Restored Details
The original stained glass windows, door frames, and window glass have survived from the time of construction, offering an authentic glimpse into late-19th-century craftsmanship. During extensive restoration work conducted between 2014 and 2016, wallpaper patterns were discovered and faithfully reproduced using woodblock prints based on the Tashiro family crest. The second-floor veranda and various fixtures throughout the building were also carefully restored to their original Meiji-era appearance.
Exhibition Spaces
The first floor features an information corner about the Uchiyama historic townscape, with tablet displays and informational panels introducing the surrounding area. The second floor serves as an exhibition space showcasing the history of Arita during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, including reproductions of the Tashiro Family Papers and documents related to the international porcelain export trade.
Surrounding Attractions in the Uchiyama District
The Former Tashiro Western-style House is located within the Arita Uchiyama Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Arita's rich cultural heritage. The building stands directly across from the Fukagawa Seiji Main Store, one of Arita's most prestigious porcelain manufacturers.
Nearby attractions include the Izumiyama Porcelain Stone Quarry, a nationally designated historic site where kaolin was first discovered in the early 17th century, launching Japan's entire porcelain industry. The Tonbai Wall Back Streets offer a uniquely atmospheric walk along alleys lined with walls made from recycled kiln bricks and ceramic fragments — a landscape found nowhere else in Japan. The Kyushu Ceramic Museum houses an extensive collection of historical Arita ware, while the Tozan Shrine features a rare porcelain torii gate. For those interested in purchasing Arita ware, numerous galleries and shops line the main Sarayama-dori street.
Visiting during the annual Arita Ceramic Fair (late April to early May) or the Autumn Arita Ceramic Festival (November) provides an especially vibrant experience, with the entire town coming alive with special exhibitions, markets, and events celebrating Arita's porcelain heritage.
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Q＆A
- When is the Former Tashiro Family Western-style House open to visitors?
- The building is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is also open during the Arita Ceramic Fair (April 29 – May 5) and the Autumn Arita Ceramic Festival period. The building is closed on weekdays and during the year-end/New Year holiday (December 28 – January 4). Admission is free.
- How do I get to the Former Tashiro Family Western-style House?
- The building is approximately a 20-minute walk from JR Kami-Arita Station, or about a 7-minute drive from JR Arita Station followed by a 1-minute walk from the Arita-kan visitor center. By car, it is about 10 minutes from the Hasami-Arita Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.
- Is English-language information available at the site?
- The first-floor exhibition area includes tablet devices with multilingual information. While on-site English signage is limited, the building itself and its exhibitions are highly visual and can be appreciated without extensive Japanese language ability. The Arita Town official website also provides some English information about the property.
- Can the building be rented for private events?
- Yes, the Former Tashiro Western-style House can be rented for meetings, exhibitions, and various events at a rate of 1,570 yen per three hours. The venue has been used for flower arrangement exhibitions, photography sessions, and other cultural events. Contact the Arita Town Board of Education Cultural Properties Division for details.
- What is the best time of year to visit?
- The Arita Ceramic Fair held from April 29 to May 5 is the most exciting time to visit, when the entire Uchiyama district becomes a bustling marketplace for Arita ware. The Autumn Arita Ceramic Festival in November is another excellent time, offering a more relaxed atmosphere with special access to the nearby Izumiyama Quarry and beautiful autumn foliage.
Basic Information
| Name | Former Tashiro Family Western-style House (旧田代家西洋館) |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Arita Ijinkan (有田異人館 / Arita Foreigners' House) |
| Cultural Property Designation | National Important Cultural Property (designated December 25, 2018) |
| Year Built | 1876 (Meiji 9) |
| Commissioned by | Tashiro Josaku (son of the porcelain trade merchant Tashiro Monzaemon) |
| Master Carpenter | Tanso Tōzaemon (temple and shrine specialist) |
| Architectural Style | Giyōfū (pseudo-Western) — wooden, two-story, tiled roof, plastered walls |
| Address | 1-2-6 Kōhei, Arita-chō, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga Prefecture 844-0005 |
| Owner | Arita Town |
| Opening Hours | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays only) |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | 20-min walk from JR Kami-Arita Station; 10-min drive from Hasami-Arita IC |
| Contact | Arita Town Board of Education, Cultural Properties Division — TEL: 0955-43-2678 |
References
- 旧田代家西洋館 — 有田観光協会 ありたさんぽ
- https://www.arita.jp/spot/post_23.html
- 旧田代家西洋館 — 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/455639
- 旧田代家西洋館＜Former Tashiro Family Western-style House＞ — 有田町公式ホームページ
- https://www.town.arita.lg.jp/kiji0032104/index.html
- 旧田代家西洋館 — 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（国土交通省）
- https://www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db/R2-01954.html
- 旧田代家西洋館 — フォートラベル
- https://4travel.jp/dm_shisetsu/11963487
- History — ARITA EPISODE 2
- http://arita-episode2.jp/history/index.html
Last verified: 2026.03.26