A Masterpiece
Japanese carpenters who were involved in the construction of Buddhist temples after the religion was introduce into Japan were treading new ground. They did, however, have some help from specialists who made the crossing from the Korean peninsula (See 12/02/2019 What? Roban-hakase!?).
While an elite few were skilled in the building Shinto shrines, many many more Japanese carpenters were highly skilled in the construction of dwellings of all kinds. Skills were handed down from one generation to the next and would have become part of their DNA even before Buddhism came to Japan.
Despite being a major challenge because of its size, the building of the Kuromaru Residence was certainly within the capabilities of a seasoned carpenter. Although records are scarce it seems the history of the family dates back to the beginning of the sixteenth century and the present building dates from the second half of the seventeenth century. As things stand, therefore, it seems likely that the house is perhaps the oldest folk-house in the whole of the Ishikawa prefecture.
The style of the roof in particular is of ancient origins. The gable ends are set back with vents to allow smoke from the hearths to leave the building. In point of fact, the smoke from the fires escaping through the roof space helps to deter insects from attacking the roof members. The roof is thatched with reeds and the deep eaves are supported by an arrangement called noki segai—a form of bracketing roughly resembling jetting but only supporting deep eaves rather than an upper floor as it would be in the UK. The lean-to extension at the eaves is tiled.
Although the layout of the interior is somewhat conventional it may have partly mimicked houses occupied by members of the warrior classes. So, in some respects the layout does seem to have been tinkered with to accommodate desired alterations, some of which may have been difficult to achieve. Hence the degree of unconventional planning that can be seen in the layout and position of spaces.
The main entrance is situated in the southwest corner of the plan. To call it a “main entrance” is perhaps a little too grand. It is, nevertheless, the only way to access the interior for honoured guests. Some family members and those employed by the owner way well have resisted using this wide entrance.
During the winter in particular, however, the space would have been an area where essential work could be done in relative comfort, screened from icy winds and drifting snow.
The space is framed by four posts. Scholars feel this may be further indication of the true age of the building.
Although pure conjecture, it seems likely that high ranking officials or others might have arrived at this entrance in a palanquin. They would then have made their way to the Tokonoma Corridor. With the shutters along the Veranda open, it would have been possible to admire the surrounding scenery from this passageway while aiming toward the small tokonowa at the end.
On the whole, the spaces to the west of the long axis of the building were for special occasions or to entertain people of high status—Local Government Officials or Priests for example. At the northern end is the Main Reception Room, okuzashiki, with a decorative alcove—Tokonoma. There are in fact four such alcoves (marked with a T) in the building, all helping to emphasise the importance of the spaces they adorn.
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| The recessed entrance provides a little extra shelter to put up or take down an umbrella, when leaving or entering the building. |
It seems likely that an honoured guest would proceed from the entrance along the Tatami Corridor to reach the Main Reception Room. The other reception rooms would be occupied by retainers or guest attending a wedding reception for example—the space in which they sat would reflect their status, making them eligible to sit in the Middle or Lower Reception Room.
What is particularly unusual about the layout is the fact that there is no dedicated entrance for a person of high status. At the Lower Tokikuni Residence (See post 16/03/2016) a separate entrance was provided for an honoured guest leading directly to the top reception room.
The square hearths to the east of the long axis of the plan speak for themselves—an extended family lived in comparative comfort—but with little or no privacy— in a number of rooms. But even here status within the extended family would have been determined. Everybody would have known their place. Some rooms would have been off-limits to some individuals. Even positions relative to the hearths were determined by hierarchy.
The head of the family would sit in the kami-za, the Top Seat north of the hearth. Perhaps others found their places by instinct.
All in all, the Kuromaru Residence is a stunning piece of traditional architecture: nothing short of a Masterpiece.
Reference: Japanese Folk Houses, Vol. 2, Farmhouses II, First Published 10th June 1980 by Gakken.
「日本民家」第2巻 農家Ⅱ、1980年6月10日出版、出版社：株式会社学習研究社。
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