Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence

The Honjin Where the Lords of Kii Stayed

The Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence (旧橋本本陣池永家住宅, Kyu Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga-ke Jutaku) is an Edo-period official inn residence on the old Yamato highway in Hashimoto, Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture, whose main house, detached guest wing, storehouse and front gate were registered in 1998 as four Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.

Wakayama Prefecture notes that it served as the honjin, the inn for daimyo, in the late Edo period: Tokugawa Shigenori, eighth lord of Kii, stayed here in 1805, and lords of Kii stopped or stayed here several times. It is privately owned.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs describes Hashimoto as a key crossing on the Kinokawa River that flourished as a post town and market throughout the Edo period.

The Ikenaga Family as Honjin

According to the prefecture, the main house's ridge-end tile is inscribed with the date 1752, making it one of the oldest townhouses in the prefecture. The Agency calls it the oldest townhouse of known date in Wakayama.

The detached guest wing is where the lords actually stayed and is thought to date from around 1803. The prefecture praises its exceptionally fine workmanship, worthy of a honjin.

Layout of the Residence

The Agency describes a site facing the highway with the Kinokawa River behind. The main house fronts the road, and the front gate stands between the main house and the storehouse.

The front gate is a four-legged gate with a wicket door and slatted windows in its side walls, forming the approach to the guest wing where the lords stayed. The Agency notes that, with the main house and storehouse, it is well loved as a survivor of old Hashimoto's streetscape.

At the back of the site, facing the river, stands the detached guest wing, linked to the main house by a corridor. From the road, the main house, gate and storehouse form the front, with the guest wing behind.

Visiting the Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence

The Former Hashimoto Honjin Ikenaga Family Residence is a private residence, and no official information on visiting conditions could be found. The main house, gate and storehouse can be seen from the road.

The prefecture gives the address as 1-12 Hashimoto 2-chome, Hashimoto City. Enquiries go to the Hashimoto City board of education lifelong learning section.