The Small Storehouse in the Middle of the Plot
The Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse (里内家住宅中蔵) is a small storehouse of around 1872 in Tehara, Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The name 中蔵 is read uchigura rather than nakagura.
The Agency records a two-storey Dozo-zukuri storehouse, tile-roofed, with a building area of 26 square metres; registration number 25-0046.
A Small Storehouse behind the Annex
The Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse stands behind the annex, which itself sits behind the main house (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Although it has two storeys, it covers only 26 square metres, making it the smallest of the four buildings.
The Agency records the tradition that it was built with the main house in 1872, when the family opened its kimono business. The north storehouse lies beyond it, so the middle storehouse sits between the house and the rear of the plot.
Why It Was Registered
The Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape (Agency for Cultural Affairs). The Agency notes that merchant houses facing the old Tōkaidō have become fewer in Tehara, and values the storehouse as one of the buildings that show how such a property was arranged.
What to Look For
The Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse is best understood alongside the north storehouse behind it. According to the Agency, the two share much of their finish, including Koshiita boarding on the lower walls, but the middle storehouse rises to two storeys on a far smaller footprint.
Visiting
The Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse stands at the back of a private property, and no official information on access was found.
Q&A
- How is the name of the Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse read?
- In Japanese it is Satouchi-ke Jūtaku Uchigura; the characters 中蔵 are read uchigura (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse built?
- Around 1872, together with the main house, according to tradition (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why was the Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse registered?
- For its contribution to the historic landscape, as one of the buildings that show the layout of a merchant house on the old Tōkaidō (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can I visit the Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse?
- It stands at the back of a private property, and no official information on access was found.
- When was the Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse registered?
- On September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse (里内家住宅中蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 3-4-31 Tehara, Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/09/02 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen-walled storehouse, two storeys, tile roof, 26 m² |
| Owner | Private owner |
| Public Access | Private property; not open to the public |
References
- Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000734
- Satouchi Family Residence Middle Storehouse (Cultural Heritage Online, Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/113614
- National Registered Cultural Properties in Ritto (Ritto History and Folklore Museum, Japanese)
- https://www.city.ritto.lg.jp/hakubutsukan/sub220.htm
Last verified: 2026.11.09
