Hagi Castle - Bukeyashiki Buildings: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:34, 13 February 2025

This album showcases the original structures from other samurai residences where the house no longer exists so it does not have a separate samurai residence page. The most common structure type below is the nagayamon or nagaya. As the name implies ("long house" or row house) gates are large structur

Hagi Castle - Bukeyashiki Buildings

This album showcases the original structures from other samurai residences where the house no longer exists so it does not have a separate samurai residence page. The most common structure type below is the nagayamon or nagaya. As the name implies ("long house" or row house) gates are large structures that were typically quarters for lower class samurai, guards, or other family servants or retainers. This also helped them to serve double duty as a defense for the main gate into the compound. Sections of a nagayamon could have also been used for storage or a stable.

The gates where you can enter and see such living quarters are ordered first among those below. The rest on the list do not have interiors open to the public.

Asa Mori Residence Nagayamon The Asa Mori family were one of the largest landolders of the Mori and had the largest estate near the castle in the Ninomaru Bailey. This building is sometimes confused with being their actual residence because it is so large and well maintained but the original home is now gone. This nagayamon housed low ranking samurai and family retainers.

Suu Residence Nagayamon The Suu were one of the top ranking upper class samurai in Hagi. This nagayamon gate was fitted out as living quarters for low ranking samurai and house retainers.

Kodama Residence Gate This is another beautifully preserved nagaya from an upper class samurai family. This was not the main gate to the Kodama's compound but was built along a side wall.

Masuda Residence Yagura The Masuda were senior retainers of the Mori. The large 11mx6m yagura was used to store weapons and was conveniently located near the Kita-no-somon (North Gate). It was also stood guard over the riding grounds.

Ninomiya Residence Nagayamon The Ninomiya were upper class samurai whos ancestors were active in the original construction of Hagi Castle. This gate preserves a 4 mat size guard's rooom on one side.

Murata Seifu Residence Gate Murata Seifu was one of the key figures from Choshu who made significant contributions to the Tenpo Reforms. Murata lived here for 25 years but only this gate remains.

Kogawa Residence Nagayamon Kogawa was a lower class samurai who stayed in Hagi as a local magistrate after the Mori moved to Yamaguchi. You may note how far this residence is from the main castle area and other high ranking samurai residences reflecting this original class diffference. Behind the gate is the Nagayamon Coffee Cafe in a normal house but they seem to be using the gate for storage of supplies even today.

Okudaira Residence Nagayamon The Okudaira were middle class samurai. The gate is estimated to have been built in the early 1800s. It is now the gate to a private home but has been preserved in excellent condition

Watanabe Residence Nagayamon The Watanabe Residence was built in the Meiji Period (so it does not have a samurai residence profile) by former samurai Watanabe Kozo, who was the only student of Yoshida Shoin to live until the Showa Period. Following the Meiji Restoration he played key roles in the development of modern Japan's industry and as a government official. Watanabe built this lavish house along the riverside. The nagayamon gate however, was repurposed from a nearby samurai residence to be preserved and used as his own. The Watanabe Residence itself is a little off the beaten path from the main castle town, so it gets few visitors, especially foreign visitors (according to the guide) but the beautiful home is worth a visit! It combines traditional and Western elements for a one of a kind modern feeling Japanese two story home.

Soshiki Residence Nagaya The Soshiki were also upper class samurai. the Nagaya looks like it was originally longer and was maybe split at some point. You'll see that the roof on either side is different. Perhaps it was a Nagayamon at some point.

Fukuhara Residence Gate The Fukuhara were one of the most senior retainers of the Mori. They had 200,000 koku of land in Ube, but the most senior member resided at this mansion in Hagi. Unfortunately only this single gate remains. It is unique for such a palace in Hagi because they would usually have a Nagayamon Gate with a guardhouse attached. Perhaps the residence had other nagaya or yagura for their own staff next to the gate.

Hanzawa Residence Nagayamon The Hanzawa were upper class samurai related to the Agawa Mori. The inside is not open to the public. Given the tremendous size of this gate I suspect it was used as housing for low ranking samurai or living quarters for servants (see also Asa Mori and Suu residences)

Map issue There is a strange anomaly with this map where there is no data at this zoom level. Please zoom in or out one step to see the underlying map

Gallery

Asa Mori Residence Nagayamon

Suu Residence Nagayamon

Kodama Residence Nagayamon

Masuda Watchtower

Ninomiya Residence Nagayamon

Murata Seifu Residence Nagayamon

Kogawa Residence Nagayamon

Okudaira Residence Nagayamon

Watanabe Residence Nagayamon

Soshiki Residence Nagaya

Fukuhara Residence Gate

Hanzawa Residence Gate

Maki Moku Residence Nagaya & Kabukimon

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 '''Hanzawa Residence Nagayamon'''
 The Hanzawa were upper class samurai related to the Agawa Mori. The inside is not open to the public. Given the tremendous size of this gate I suspect it was used as housing for low ranking samurai or living quarters for servants (see also Asa Mori and Suu residences)
+'' '''Map issue''' There is a strange anomaly with this map where there is no data at this zoom level. Please zoom in or out one step to see the underlying map''
 }}

Hagi Castle - Bukeyashiki Buildings: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:34, 13 February 2025

Hagi Castle - Bukeyashiki Buildings

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