Cultural Path Shumokukan, Traditional residence in Nagoya, Japan.
The Imoto Tamesaburō House is a traditional Japanese residence in Nagoya with a dual design that joins a Western building to classical Japanese rooms. The structure combines modern materials with crafted details that display the family's private quarters and gathering spaces.
The residence was built during the late Taishō and early Shōwa periods and belonged to Tamesaburo Imoto, who founded a successful ceramics retail business in 1897. Its architecture evolved to reflect the growing modernization that Nagoya was experiencing at that time.
The residence blends Western stained glass accents with traditional Japanese rooms featuring tatami mats and sliding doors. This combination shows how prosperous families of that era lived between two cultural worlds.
Visitors can explore the study areas, living quarters, and guest rooms through guided tours that explain the house's history and the family's life. The tours help you understand how each room was used in daily living.
The house was designated as a Tangible Cultural Asset of Nagoya City in 1996 and recognized as a Building of Scenic Importance in 2008. These dual designations show how important the place is for preserving local history.
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