Nakano Family Residence Annex

A Quiet Annex Behind a Townhouse

The Nakano Family Residence Annex (中野家住宅離れ) is a single-storey annex of the late Meiji era (1898 to 1912) in Chuo, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 13, 2012 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a single-storey timber building with a tiled roof and a building area of 53 square metres; registration number 25-0312.

An Annex Behind the Main House

The Nakano Family Residence Annex runs parallel to the north side of the eastern half of the main house, with its front to the west (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a single-storey timber building under a gabled pantile roof.

Its principal room of 12 tatami mats has a carefully made alcove and shelves (Agency for Cultural Affairs). West of the principal room, beyond an anteroom, lies a small enclosed garden, and the courtyard opens on the east. Set between two gardens, the room draws in light and air even though it lies deep inside a townhouse lot.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency describes the Nakano Family Residence Annex as a calm annex set within a townhouse lot, and registered it for its contribution to the historic landscape. It shows how an Otsu townhouse could extend beyond its street front to a reception room at the back.

What to Look For

The details to note are the alcove and shelves of the 12-mat principal room, and the way the room sits between the small garden and the courtyard (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The annex stands behind the main house and does not face the street; whether any part of it can be seen from outside has not been confirmed.

Visiting

The Nakano Family Residence Annex is part of a private home, and no official information on public access was found. No official guidance on photography was found.