What Is the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse?
The Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse (大川家住宅巽蔵, Ōkawa-ke Jūtaku Tatsumigura) is a 2-storey Dozo-zukuri earthen storehouse of the early Meiji era on the east edge of the Okawa estate in Omata-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on 18 March 2003. It covers 49 square meters.
It stands north of the lean-to at the east end of the Former Barn, its ridge running north to south. It measures 4 by 3 Ken, under a gabled Sangawara-buki pantile roof built as an Okiyane, set over the earthen walls.
Tatsumi is an old name for the southeast, the direction between the Dragon and the Snake in the twelve-sign zodiac used for compass points. The Agency for Cultural Affairs does not explain the name, but the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse does stand to the southeast of the Main House.
A White Store on the Stone Wall
Together with the Adjoining Storehouse to its north, the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse stands on the Ishigaki stone wall that runs along the east edge of the estate. Raised on the wall, the white storehouse is the focus of the estate's east side.
The agency describes the Tatsumi and Adjoining storehouses as the core of the estate's eastern landscape, and the Tatsumi Storehouse was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
Its walls are finished in white Shikkui lime plaster. The east face of the Adjoining Storehouse is boarded, and so are the walls of the Former Barn to the south, so this white building marks a clear break in the row of timber-clad buildings along the east edge.
A Work Porch Facing the Garden
On its west side, facing the garden, the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse has a Tsuchibisashi, a deep eave carried out over the ground, which shelters a Kuramae, the space in front of a storehouse door used for handling goods.
The east side, raised on the stone wall, is the face shown to the outside world; the west side with its porch is the working face turned toward the inside of the estate. One building divides its roles between its two long sides.
Seeing the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse
The Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse stands inside the grounds of a working nursery school and is not open to the public. Anyone hoping to see it should contact the school in advance.
If you have the chance to visit the grounds, look at the west side from the garden to see the eave and the work area beneath it. If the east edge of the estate can be seen from outside, the white storehouse on its stone wall is the landmark. Do not enter private land, and keep children out of any photographs.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Tochigi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse
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Q&A
- When was the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse built?
- In the early Meiji era, according to the Agency for Cultural Affairs database.
- What does Tatsumi mean in the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse?
- Tatsumi is an old name for the southeast. The agency does not explain the name, but the storehouse stands southeast of the Main House.
- What kind of building is the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse?
- A 2-storey earthen storehouse measuring 4 by 3 ken, with a gabled okiyane pantile roof and white plaster walls. A deep eave on the garden side shelters a work area.
- When did the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse become a Registered Tangible Cultural Property?
- On 18 March 2003, as registration number 09-0075, for its contribution to the historic landscape.
- Can I visit the Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse?
- It stands inside the grounds of a working nursery school and is not open to the public. Contact the school in advance if you wish to visit.
Basic Information
| Name | Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse (大川家住宅巽蔵, Ōkawa-ke Jūtaku Tatsumigura) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1412 Omata-cho, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure), Registration No. 09-0075 |
| Year Designated | 2003 (registered 18 March 2003) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Earthen storehouse, 2-storey, tiled roof, building area 49 square meters |
| Owner | Omata Yoji Seikatsudan (social welfare corporation) |
| Public Access | In use as part of a nursery school; not open to the public (contact the school in advance) |
References
- Database of National Cultural Properties: Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse (Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00003192
- Okawa Family Residence Tatsumi Storehouse (Tochigi Cultural Properties, Tochigi Prefecture, in Japanese)
- https://bunkazai.pref.tochigi.lg.jp/cultural/%E3%80%90%E5%A4%A7%E5%B7%9D%E5%AE%B6%E4%BD%8F%E5%AE%85%E5%B7%BD%E8%94%B5%E3%80%91/
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties, Buildings (Ashikaga City, in Japanese)
- https://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/education/000029/000169/000627/p001307.html
- School Buildings (Omata Yoji Seikatsudan, in Japanese)
- https://omatayouji.org/introduction
Last verified: 2026.09.27
