Hikobe Family Manor, Samurai residence in Hirosawa-chō, Japan
The Hikobe Family Manor is a samurai residence comprising multiple structures arranged across a large property. The main building serves as the residential core, with additional structures for ceremonies, storage, and administrative functions distributed throughout the grounds.
Built in 1561, the manor belonged to a chief vassal of the Ashikaga shogunate whose family line descended from Prince Takechi. The residence remained a center of power for the family throughout subsequent periods of Japanese history.
The residence displays traditional Japanese design with its distinctive thatched roof style and a garden featuring ponds and stone bridges that reflect the aesthetic ideals of the samurai family. The way these elements are arranged shows how people of this rank lived and what they valued in their surroundings.
The manor is open during weekends and holidays, though visits on weekdays require advance notice. Exploring the site on foot allows you to move between the different buildings and gardens at your own pace.
Black satin was invented here in 1820 by a member of the family, marking a turning point in the region's textile production and economic development. This innovation helped establish the area as an important center for fabric manufacturing.
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