Old Ogasawara Family Study (Izuki Jinya)

Overview

The Old Ogasawara Family Study is an early Edo period samurai study located in Izuki, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture. It is designated as a Nationally Important Cultural Property. A distinctive feature of the study is its *kakerazukuri* construction, with one-third of the building projecting out over a cliff. The architectural style, featuring one-ken wide *irifuchi-en* (recessed verandas) on three sides (southeast and west) and a large *ohishi* lattice partition between the first and second rooms in the south, is typical of the Momoyama period. Only two early Edo period samurai studies remain: the Ninomaru Goten Palace in Nijo Castle and the Old Ogasawara Study. It was designated a National Important Cultural Property in March 1952. Adjacent to the study, the Ogasawara Museum opened in October 1999. Designed by SANAA, an architectural firm founded by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, the museum exhibits weaponry, daily necessities, and secret books related to the Ogasawara family. Izuki Jinya was built on the southern slopes of Izuki Castle, the former stronghold of the Izuki clan in the medieval period. Currently, the old Ogasawara family study is on display along with the museum. While the existing study was traditionally said to have been built in 1617 (Genna 3), dismantling and repair work revealed ink writing dating to 1624 (Kan'ei 1), confirming its construction around that time. The rare *kakerazukuri* style study was created by connecting the study and the entrance to the official office after the Meiji Restoration; other buildings, except for the existing *taiko-mon* gate, are no longer extant. According to the "Ogasawara Estate Old Map," there was a *taiko-mon* gate on the south main gate, and a lookout *hirayagura* (a low flat-roofed turret) on the west side, forming an inner square shape.