About the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse
The Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse (常松家住宅本蔵, Tsunematsu-ke Jūtaku Hongura) is a two-story clay-walled storehouse in Gui, Hikawa-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture, built around 1874 and entered on Japan's register of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties on March 29, 2019. It covers a building area of 29 square meters.
The storehouse stands behind the main house, on the north side of the estate, facing south. It was a dogugura, a store for household goods and equipment, while rice was kept separately at the north end of the annex. It was repaired around 1998.
A Floating Roof and Plastered Walls
The Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse is built in the Dozo-zukuri manner, with thick walls of clay finished in plaster. Its gabled (Kirizuma-zukuri) pantile roof is of the Okiyane type: a separately framed roof set on top of the sealed clay body rather than built into it. The door is on the south face.
The outer walls are white Shikkui plaster, and the gable ends are decorated with Kote-e, relief pictures that plasterers model with a trowel. They are an ornamental touch on an otherwise practical building. We could not find a published description of what the reliefs show.
Built to Carry Weight
Inside, both floors of the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse have wooden plank floors. The posts stand at intervals of half a ken (one ken is the traditional bay unit), and the roof framing uses heavy main beams. The Agency for Cultural Affairs picks out these points to describe the building as solidly made.
Closely spaced posts and big beams let the frame carry both the heavy clay walls and whatever was stored inside. It is a small building, but its frame was not skimped.
Why It Was Registered
The Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. Dating from about 1874, like the main house and both gates, it closes off the rear of the homestead and completes the traditional layout of an old landowning family.
Its white plaster and modeled gables give the estate a different surface from the thatch of the main house and the tiles of the annex.
Seeing the Storehouse
The Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse stands on the grounds of a private home, and as of September 2026 we found no notice of openings. Because it sits behind the main house, we could not confirm whether it is visible from the road.
The plaster reliefs on the gables are the part many people would like to see, but please stay off the property and respect the residents' privacy. Directions are on the Tsunematsu Family Residence page.
Q&A
- When was the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse built?
- Around 1874. It was repaired around 1998.
- What was the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse used for?
- It held household goods and equipment. Rice was stored separately, at the north end of the annex.
- What does the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse look like?
- A two-story clay-walled storehouse with a separately framed gabled tile roof, white plaster walls and plaster reliefs on the gable ends.
- Why is the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse considered solidly built?
- Its posts are spaced at half a ken and the roof framing uses heavy main beams. Both floors are boarded.
- Can visitors see the Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse?
- It is on the grounds of a private home and we found no official information about openings. It stands behind the main house, and we could not confirm whether it is visible from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse (常松家住宅本蔵) |
|---|---|
| Location | 333 Horikawa, Gui, Hikawa-cho, Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | 2019 (registered) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Building area 29 square meters (clay-walled storehouse, two stories, tiled roof) |
| Owner | Private |
| Public Access | No public opening announced (private home; interior closed) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties (Agency for Cultural Affairs): Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00012799
- Cultural Heritage Online: Tsunematsu Family Residence Main Storehouse
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/432022
- Agency for Cultural Affairs press release on new Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (recommendation of November 16, 2018, in Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/koho_hodo_oshirase/hodohappyo/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2018/12/14/a1411175_01_1.pdf
- Shimane Prefecture: List of Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (Structures) (in Japanese)
- https://www.pref.shimane.lg.jp/life/bunka/bunkazai/shimane/tourokubunkazai2.html
Last verified: 2026.09.29
