A Barn for Work and Livestock
The Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Barn (岡﨑家住宅（旧栗須家住宅）納屋) is a barn of the late Meiji era in Takata, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on August 15, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a timber building of 2 storeys with a sheet-iron roof and a building area of 61 square metres, renovated around 1998; registration number 30-0371.
A Barn with a Cowshed and Workspace
The Okazaki Family Residence Barn stands south of the main house and faces north (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It is a gabled building of 2 storeys entered on the long side, with lean-to roofs on all four sides under its sheet-iron roof. Toward the south of the east side the eaves reach out deeply, sheltering a workspace.
Each floor is divided into two rooms, east and west. The ground floor holds a cowshed, a toilet and storage; upstairs both rooms are boarded storage lofts with the roof frame of short posts and beams left exposed (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency describes the Okazaki Family Residence Barn as the building that shapes the south side of the homestead, and it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. A cowshed under the same roof suggests how closely the care of animals and farm work were tied to daily life here.
What to Look For
The deep eaves toward the south of the east side, with the workspace beneath, are the feature to look for (Agency for Cultural Affairs). They were probably made deep so that work could go on under cover in wet weather.
Visiting
The Okazaki Family Residence Barn stands within a private homestead and no interior opening is announced. The cowshed and the upstairs roof frame are known only from the Agency description.
Q&A
- When was the Okazaki Family Residence Barn built?
- In the late Meiji era; it was renovated around 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What is inside the Okazaki Family Residence Barn?
- Two rooms on each floor: a cowshed, toilet and storage below, boarded storage lofts above.
- Where is the workspace of the Okazaki Family Residence Barn?
- Under the deep eaves toward the south of the east side.
- Can I visit the Okazaki Family Residence Barn?
- It stands within a private homestead and no public opening is announced.
- When was the Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Barn registered?
- On August 15, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Barn (岡﨑家住宅（旧栗須家住宅）納屋) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1702 Takata, Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2024/08/15 (Reiwa 6) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | Timber, 2 storeys, sheet-iron roof, 61 m² |
| Owner | Not listed in the Agency database (apparently a private residence) |
| Public Access | Private residence (no public opening announced) |
References
- Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Barn (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00015080
- Council for Cultural Affairs recommendations for registration, March 15, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japanese)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/pdf/94080301_03.pdf
- Registered Tangible Cultural Properties in Wakayama (Wakayama Prefecture, Japanese)
- https://www.pref.wakayama.lg.jp/prefg/500700/mokuroku/d00155458.html
Last verified: 2026.10.15
