Tondabayashi
The Sugiyama Family's Old House

The Sugiyama family's old house

Designated Cultural Property
Edo Period

The Sugiyama family is one of the families that contributed to the foundation of the Jinaimachi community. From the Edo Period (1600-1868) to the mid Meiji Period, the family was a successful sake brewery. At the height of its prosperity, it had as many as 70 employees. The interior of the house is well preserved . The painting of an old pine tree on the wall of the large alcove and those on the sliding doors were the works of painters of the Kano school, a school of professional painters which was patronized by successive military governments.
This house is said to be the oldest extant tradesman's house in Japan and is designated as a national important cultural property. It is also known as the house where Tsuyuko Isonokami, a female poet in the Meiji Period, was born. She belonged to the Myojo school of tanka poetry whose members include Akiko Yosano (1878-1942), a noted poet and feminist writer.
The municipal government is responsible for maintenance of the house. It is the sole old house in the district to which visitors are admitted. The Jinaimachi Center opposite it exhibits historical materials relating to the district.

Tourist Information

Source: The Tondabayashi municipal government

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