Ohara Residence

Overview

The Ohara Residence has been open to the public since 1989 (Heisei 1). According to "Kyotaku-ko" (a record of residences), around the Horeki era, Aikawa Tozo (120 koku) resided here. After Tozo relinquished his stipend, it was successively occupied by Nakane Sai (350 koku, a chief retainer), Oka Saburozaemon, and finally became Keikaro. It is said to have been the location of the Keikaro official residence. According to the "Machi Yakusho Nikki" (Town Office Diary), in 1832 (Tempo 3), Keikaro moved to Bodendo in Ote Hiroba (the large square in front of the castle), and continued as an official residence thereafter. An 1868 (Meiji 1) map shows the residence belonging to the Ohara family. It was the site of the residence of Ohara Bunzo (200 koku), a retainer listed in the samurai register of the Kaei era (1848-1853). While it's unclear when the Ohara family began residing here, it's believed to have been after the Bunsei era (1818-1830). It featured a magnificent main gate with a frontage of eight and a half ken (15.46 meters) and a depth of two ken (3.64 meters), with a four and a half ken (8.18 meters) building attached to the left. A paved pathway leads from the gate to the formal entrance. While the roof was originally thatched with a hip-and-gable style, a gable roof was prominent at the front, forming a two-ken (3.64 meters) wide and one-ken (1.82 meters) deep raised platform, showcasing its high status at the time. The formal entrance leads to an eight-mat room, connected to a ten-mat (16.54 square meters) room in a hook-shaped layout. The complete separation of the reception area from the living quarters in the rear is also distinct from other residences. The large pond, featuring an island, is one of the most well-maintained gardens among Kitsuki's samurai residences, further indicating that this was no ordinary samurai residence. The main building is said to have been relocated from a palace-like structure, though this remains unconfirmed. Lacking documentation on its construction date, it's believed to be from the mid-19th century or earlier, or possibly even a remnant of Keikaro. Except for some parts, the original structure is remarkably well-preserved, retaining its thatched roof (a rare sight), dignified style, and impressive garden, making it one of Kitsuki's most valuable historical remnants.