Iwate Prefecture's largest thatched-roof farmhouse! A historically significant building designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The "Old Bakudate Family Residence" is a wealthy farmer's mansion built in the late Edo period, located in Ogatani, Ichinohe-machi, Ninohe-gun, Iwate Prefecture. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, it's known as the largest thatched-roof farmhouse in Iwate Prefecture. The Bakudate family is said to have moved there from Jōhōji Urushizawa, Ninohe City, in the mid-Edo period. Until the early Shōwa period, they were landowners possessing 750 cho (approximately 750 hectares) of forest and 12 cho (approximately 12 hectares) of rice paddies and fields. They played a central role in the community, sharing in the livelihoods, beliefs, and annual events of the local people, with the main house and garden serving as venues for these events. While some aspects of the Bakudate family's livelihood remain unclear, they engaged in forestry, agriculture, lacquer and wax production, cattle and horse breeding, charcoal production, and sericulture at various times, employing around 10 people at any given time. The "Old Bakudate Family Residence" is considered a typical example of a wealthy farmer's house. The roof is a gabled style with thatch, and most of the pillars are chestnut, with some cedar and zelkova. Pine is used for the large partitions in the sitting rooms. Inside, there are living quarters and a stable; they reportedly kept around 10 cattle and horses at all times. While similar structures known as "magari-ya" (curved houses) are famous in Iwate Prefecture, this building lacks a curved section and appears rectangular from above, leading to its name "naogo-ya" (straight house). The "Old Bakudate Family Residence" is a precious historical site that offers a glimpse into the lives and culture of wealthy farmers of that era. Its architectural style and structure, along with details of daily life, allow us to imagine the social and economic conditions and lifestyles of the time. Furthermore, the area boasts other historical attractions such as the "Fujishima no Fuji" (Fujishima wisteria), a national natural monument, and the "Kawaso Ichiritsuka" (Kawaso one-league post), a prefectural designated historical site, making it an ideal area for historical exploration. Take this opportunity to visit the "Old Bakudate Family Residence" and experience traditional Japanese culture.