Kuchiba Residence
The only original surviving residence of a high ranking samurai (上級武士) is the Kuchiba Residence. When the Mori moved to Yamaguchi, the Kuchiba were left with control of Hagi and so their home was maintained through the Edo Period. There is a unique small "hidden" room between the two main rooms whe
Background
The only original surviving residence of a high ranking samurai (上級武士) is the Kuchiba Residence. When the Mori moved to Yamaguchi, the Kuchiba were left with control of Hagi and so their home was maintained through the Edo Period.
There is a unique small "hidden" room between the two main rooms where a guard may have been stationed and you can see weapons on hooks above the door.
As the only remaining example of an upper class samurai home in Hagi, we can see that the high ceilings compared to other residences in Hagi may be one indicator of status. The nagayamon contains a guard station, stable and storage rooms. On the Kuchiwa Residence website its claims to be the largest Nagayamon in Hagi, but soared to the Suu Residence, Asa Mori Residence, Kodama Residence, and Hanna Residence extant nagayamon, that is clearly not the case. They possibly mean the largest nagayamon at an extant house.
For an upper class samurai residence, the actual house may seem small, but this is the only original part that remains. Over the years other portions were torn down and rebuilt, but when it achieved Important Cultural Property status in 1974, only the original portions were preserved.
| Kuchiba Residence Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Kuchiba Residence |
| Japanese Name | 口羽家住宅 |
| Year | around 1800 |
| Residence Type | Upper Class |
| Designations | Important Cultural Property |
| Features | Gates, Garden, House |
| Visitor Information | open 9:00-17:00; closed 12/30～1/3、8/13～15; 100 yen admission |
| Website | https://www.hagishi.com/en/search/detail.php?d=100021 |
| Location | Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture |
| Castle | Hagi Castle |
| Coordinates | 34.4108, 131.38339 |
| Hagi Castle and nearby Samurai Homes | |
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| Admin | |
| Visits | Nov. 21, 2014; March 22, 2024 |
| Added Jcastle | 2018 |
| Contributor | Eric |
