Ushizu Town Hall (former Tanakamaru Family Residence)

Introduction

Standing quietly along the old Nagasaki Kaidō highway in the town of Ushizu, Ogi City, Saga Prefecture, the Ushizu Town Hall—originally the residence of the Tanakamaru family—is a magnificent example of Taishō-era domestic architecture. This two-story wooden building, registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, was built as the main home of Tanakamaru Zenzō, a towering figure in Kyushu's business world and the founder of the Tamaya department store chain. With its grand exterior and refined sukiya-style interior, the residence encapsulates the prosperity and cultural ambition of one of the region's most influential merchant dynasties.

Historical Background

The Tanakamaru family's story begins in 1806, when the first Tanakamaru Ichiei established a general goods shop called Tanakamaru Shōten in the village of Ushizu, then part of Ogi District in Hizen Province. The business thrived under subsequent generations. In 1866, at just fourteen years of age, the first Tanakamaru Zenzō inherited the family enterprise and transformed it into a kimono and dry goods shop—the forerunner of what would become the Tamaya department store empire.

Through keen business acumen and direct cash dealings with wholesalers in Kyoto and Osaka, Zenzō built the family fortune and earned the title "Merchant King of Kyushu." It was the second Tanakamaru Zenzō who expanded the business into modern department stores, eventually operating locations in Sasebo, Fukuoka, Saga, and Kokura. The Tamaya chain grew to become one of Kyushu's most prominent retail brands, with a legacy spanning over two centuries.

Ushizu itself was a prosperous post town on the Nagasaki Kaidō, the major highway connecting Nagasaki to Edo (present-day Tokyo). Thanks to its location near the Ariake Sea and the Ushizu River, the town served as a key hub for rice shipping and wholesale trade, earning it the nickname "Naniwa of the West"—a comparison to Osaka, Japan's great merchant capital. The Tanakamaru residence was built during the Taishō period (circa 1912–1925) as a symbol of the family's prominence in this thriving commercial center.

Reasons for Cultural Property Designation

The Ushizu Town Hall (Former Tanakamaru Family Residence) was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property (Building) on August 28, 2001, under registration number 41-0025. The designation recognizes the building's contribution to the historical landscape of Japan.

The official description by the Agency for Cultural Affairs highlights several key attributes: the residence was constructed as the main home of Tanakamaru Zenzō, one of Kyushu's most prominent businessmen. Its layout features a central entrance wing flanked by a formal reception wing to the south and a residential wing to the north, with a complex roof structure that follows the building's intricate floor plan. While the exterior presents a dignified and imposing appearance, the interior is characterized by delicate sukiya-style design with refined woodwork. The building is described as the most representative structure of modern-era Ushizu.

In 2005, the residence was further recognized as a "Saga Prefecture Heritage to Preserve for the 22nd Century," underscoring its importance to the region's cultural identity.

Architectural Highlights and Attractions

The residence covers an impressive building area of approximately 410 square meters. Its two-story wooden structure with tiled roofing demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship available to wealthy Kyushu merchants during the Taishō era.

The building is organized into three main sections. The central entrance wing serves as the formal gateway to the residence. To the south lies the zashiki (formal reception) wing, featuring an expansive reception hall with an adjacent tearoom. To the north is the living quarters wing, designed for the daily life of the family. The two wings are connected by an elegant tatami-floored corridor, creating a harmonious flow between formal and private spaces.

One of the most striking features is the contrast between the exterior and interior design philosophies. From outside, the residence projects a sense of power and grandeur through its massive roof structure, which rises and falls in complex layers following the layout of the rooms below. Inside, however, the atmosphere shifts to one of refined restraint. The sukiya-style interiors feature slender wooden members, carefully proportioned lattice windows, and understated decorative details that reflect the aesthetic sensibility of the tea ceremony tradition.

The Japanese garden, though largely altered from its original form, remains a place of quiet beauty. The original garden was designed by Hotori Oshō, a priest from Seigyōji Temple in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, who is also credited with creating the celebrated garden at Kunenan in Kanzaki—a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. The original landscape featured carefully arranged pine and podocarpus trees. Sadly, the garden was severely damaged during an air raid in World War II, and the present garden, while attractive, does not fully reflect the original design. Within the garden grounds stands a bronze statue of the first Tanakamaru Zenzō, honoring the patriarch who built the family's commercial empire.

Visitor Information

The Ushizu Town Hall is currently managed by Ogi City as a public community facility. The exterior of the building and the garden can be viewed freely at any time. Interior viewing is not available on a regular basis; however, when a caretaker is present on the premises, visitors may be accommodated for an interior tour. It is strongly recommended to contact the Ogi City Board of Education, Culture Division in advance if you wish to see the interior.

The building is located adjacent to the Ushizu Red Brick Hall (Ushizu Akarengakan), a former brick warehouse of the Tanakamaru Shōten that is also a registered National Tangible Cultural Property. Together, these two buildings form an essential stop for anyone interested in the commercial heritage of Saga Prefecture.

The nearest railway station is Ushizu Station on the JR Nagasaki Main Line. From the station, the residence is approximately a 10-minute walk. For visitors traveling by car, free parking is available on site.

Surrounding Attractions

Ushizu and the wider Ogi City area offer several worthwhile destinations for visitors exploring the region's cultural and natural heritage.

• Ushizu Red Brick Hall (Ushizu Akarengakan): Located directly adjacent to the Tanakamaru residence, this handsome red-brick warehouse dates from the mid-to-late Meiji period. Built in the Dutch bond brickwork style with a gently curved mukuri roof, it served as the storehouse for Tanakamaru Shōten and is also a registered National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Ogi Park (Ogi Kōen): One of Saga Prefecture's most popular cherry blossom viewing spots, this park features approximately 3,000 cherry trees along with a tranquil Japanese garden created by the lords of the Ogi domain of the Nabeshima clan.
• Kiyomizu Waterfall (Kiyomizu no Taki): A refreshing 75-meter waterfall nestled in a forested valley, renowned for its cool mists and the traditional carp (koi) cuisine served at restaurants along the approach.
• Muraoka Sōhonpo Yōkan Museum: Housed in an elegant brick building, this museum showcases the history and production methods of Ogi's famous yōkan (sweet bean jelly), a confection that has been a local specialty since the Meiji era.
• Old Nagasaki Kaidō Highway: Visitors can stroll along the remnants of the historic highway that once passed through Ushizu, imagining the merchants, samurai, and even exotic animals—including a famous elephant brought from Vietnam in 1728—who traveled this route between Nagasaki and Edo.