What the Nakano Family Residence Wall Is
The Nakano Family Residence Wall (中野家住宅塀, Nakano-ke Jūtaku Hei) is a Meiji-era tiled earthen wall in Utsui-kami, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property on November 29, 2006.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the Meiji era, 1868 to 1911, and classifies it as a structure rather than a building. It is 8.3 metres long.
It runs straight out eastward from the middle of the main house's east side, dividing the forecourt in front of the entrance from the garden to the south.
Why It Was Registered
The Nakano Family Residence Wall was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. It is short, but the Agency points to its solid construction and credits it with setting the formal front of the property.
The base is a stone footing laid in Kirikomi-hagi fashion, with stones dressed to fit tightly, 53 centimetres wide at the bottom. That is a more finished technique than the rougher Uchikomi-hagi random coursing of the homestead's stone retaining wall, which makes an interesting comparison.
On this footing stands the earthen wall with a tiled coping, 1.4 metres high overall: not a screen, but a low, deliberate line between forecourt and garden.
What to Look For
Near the west end, close to the house, there is a gap 1.8 metres wide that lets you pass from the forecourt into the garden.
Look at the two horizontals, the dressed stone footing and the tile line above it. Together they draw a clean level line across the front of the thatched main house.
Visiting
The Nakano Family Residence Wall stands on a private homestead and is not open; as of September 2026 no openings had been announced. View it from the public road only. Directions are on the Nakano Family Residence (Utsui, Shimonoseki) page.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Yamaguchi
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Nakano Family Residence Wall
- [ Kintaikyo Bridge & Hagi Castle Town Tours ]
Q&A
- When was the Nakano Family Residence Wall built?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to the Meiji era (1868 to 1911). It was registered on November 29, 2006.
- How large is the Nakano Family Residence Wall?
- It is 8.3 metres long and 1.4 metres high overall, with a 1.8-metre gap near the west end. The stone footing is 53 centimetres wide at the base.
- Where is the Nakano Family Residence Wall?
- It runs east from the middle of the main house, separating the forecourt from the south garden.
- Why was the Nakano Family Residence Wall registered?
- It was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape. Its solid construction on a dressed-stone footing sets the formal front of the property.
- Can I visit the Nakano Family Residence Wall?
- It is on private property and not open to the public. Please view it from the road.
Basic Information
| Name | Nakano Family Residence Wall |
|---|---|
| Location | 2777 Utsui-kami, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | Registered 2006/11/29 (Heisei 18), registration no. 35-0053 |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Earthen wall with tiled coping, length 8.3 metres, overall height 1.4 metres |
| Owner | Not listed in the ACA database |
| Public Access | Not open to the public (private residence) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Nakano Family Residence Wall
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00005972
Last verified: 2026.09.24
