Joshitei, Historical residence in Akita, Japan.
Joshitei is a residential estate featuring traditional wooden architecture divided into two distinct rooms: one with 12 tatami mats and a reception area with 8 tatami mats. The house stands within a garden containing water features and carefully placed stones.
Built between 1688 and 1704, this residence served Satake Yoshizumi, the third lord of the Akita domain. It dates from the Edo period, when regional lords maintained fixed residences and hierarchical administrative systems.
The rooms display traditional Japanese design with tatami floors and sliding doors arranged by social hierarchy. This layout shows how inhabitants used different spaces for distinct purposes and gatherings.
Opening hours vary by season, with longer daytime access during warmer months and shorter hours in winter. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the grounds require walking through different areas.
A 500-year-old Japanese Zelkova tree grows in the garden, making it one of the oldest living elements at the site. The garden also features symbolic stones representing a turtle and a tiger.
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