A River-Stone Wall around the Homestead
The Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Stone Wall (岡﨑家住宅（旧栗須家住宅）石塀) is a stone wall enclosing an old family homestead of the late Edo period 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 stone structure with a total length of 76 metres; registration number 30-0372.
A U-Shaped Wall of River Stones
The Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall runs around the north, east and west sides of the homestead in a squared U, turning corners for a total length of about 76 metres (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
It is built of rhyolite river stones, laid dry without mortar in the rough nozura-zumi manner to a thickness of about 1.2 metres and a height of about 1.7 metres. Gaps cut near the south end of the east and west runs serve as the entrances to the homestead (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency notes that the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall, which also served as a windbreak, gives the area a distinctive look, and it was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape.
What to Look For
Look at the faces of unworked river stones laid as they were found, and at the way the wall bends around the homestead (Agency for Cultural Affairs). At about 1.7 metres high it is about 1.2 metres thick, proportions that suit its role as a windbreak.
Visiting
Because it runs round the outside of the homestead, the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall is probably the easiest of the four structures to see from outside. It encloses a private home, however, and no public opening is announced, so view it only from the road.
Q&A
- When was the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall built?
- In the late Edo period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How large is the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall?
- About 76 metres long in total, about 1.2 metres thick and about 1.7 metres high.
- How is the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall built?
- Of rhyolite river stones laid dry, without mortar, in the rough nozura-zumi manner.
- Can I visit the Okazaki Family Residence Stone Wall?
- It encloses a private home and no public opening is announced; please view it from the road.
- When was the Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Stone Wall registered?
- On August 15, 2024 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Okazaki Family Residence (Former Kurisu Family Residence) Stone Wall (岡﨑家住宅（旧栗須家住宅）石塀) |
|---|---|
| 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 | Stone, total length 76 m |
| 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) Stone Wall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00015081
- 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
