The experiential event "Bichu no Machiya de Class (hereafter, Machiya Class)" has started again in 2022, visiting the historical townscapes remaining in the nationally designated "Important Traditional Building Preservation District" and the Bichu region.
Various events such as tours, walks, and lectures are planned over approximately one month.
This article introduces the "Inoue House Completion Commemorative Tour" held on November 5 and 6, 2022.
What is Bichu no Machiya de Class (Machiya Class)
"Bichu no Machiya de Class (Machiya Class)" is an experiential event organized by the Bichu Townscape Network, centered around the Kurashiki Machiya Trust, which operates in Kurashiki City.
It is held annually from November for about a month, and 2022 was no exception.
The schedule is as follows.
About Inoue House
This time, I visited the "Inoue House Completion Commemorative Tour."
The Inoue family, engaged in new rice field development in present-day Hayashima Town, moved to Kurashiki about 400 years ago.
Later, they became one of the 13 old families of Kurashiki Village known as "Koroku," serving as elder roles and farmers' representatives, alternating with other families.
The Inoue House is a structure built about 300 years ago and is the oldest machiya (townhouse) architecture in Kurashiki.
In 2002, the main house and four other buildings were designated as Important Cultural Properties, and from 2012, a full dismantling (with partial dismantling of the three-story storehouse) and preservation repair were carried out over ten years.
Some may have thought while walking along Honmachi Street in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area that "they have been doing construction for a long time," but the entire construction has finally been completed, and the completion commemorative tour was held.
Exterior of the Main House
The first thing that catches the eye on the exterior is the "second floor window."
The "Kurashiki window," considered the oldest form with a clay-plastered door, can now only be seen at the Inoue House.
It is usually open and serves a fire prevention role when closed during a fire.
Exterior of the Three-Story Storehouse
In the background is the three-story storehouse built on a foundation stone made of Toyoshima stone.
It is known that during the Edo period, Kurashiki Village had a system of mutual aid and relief for the poor called "Gikura," which was operated voluntarily.
Documents related to this have been carefully preserved in the storehouse by the Inoue family.
Interior
Once inside, there are many highlights.
- Beams placed according to the slope of the rafters
- Open space for smoke ventilation and lighting in the kitchen
- The stove enshrining "Odokuu-sama"
- Tea room
- Hanging scrolls
I would like to introduce many of these, but they say, "Please wait a little until the general public opening."
Conclusion
In the future, after the exhibits are organized, general public opening is scheduled for spring 2023, with details to be announced soon.
This was a special tour held prior to that.
In addition to the Inoue House, there are also important cultural properties such as Ohara House (currently "Ohara House Katalyzer") and Ohashi House in the town of Kurashiki.
In addition to the Mingeikan and Archaeological Museum that have been renovated from storehouses, many machiya remain preserved in the preservation district.
There are also quite a few Western-style buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods.
How about visiting each house along with the history of Kurashiki?
Bichu no Machiya de Class, Nostalgic Future 2022 Data
| Name | Bichu no Machiya de Class, Nostalgic Future 2022 |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | From November 3, 2022 to November 27, 2022 |
| Location | Depends on the event |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Depends on the event |
| Website | Bichu no Machiya de Class, Nostalgic Future 2022 |
