"Okazaki House"
*a model study after repairing
The Samurai Residence “Okazaki House” constructed in 1835 has notable features as follows;
1. It showed High Earthquake Resistance and seems to be constructed as a model for earthquake resistant structure
1) This withstood well the Earthquake of Tottori of Magnitude 7.2 in 1943, though about 80% of buildings were completely collapsed
2) Ground solidification is applied;
3) The Sill Plates are placed lengthwise and crosswise connecting all the columns
4) All the columns are heavier in dimension than those used in usual Samurai Residences; In this house 157x157 vs 120x120 in usual houses
5) The mud walls are abundantly placed and uniformly distributed
2. It has a hidden drawing room on the 2nd floor
1) The ladder hole for the upper floor is completely hidden with high quality finishing techniques
2) This room commands a fine view of Tottori Castle 3) This room is particularly well
ornamented
3. It is well ornamented
1) All the columns for the main structure show the peeled round corners, well lacquered 2) The details of the ceiling for some rooms show also the peeled round corners, well lacquered 3) Even the hidden parts are well finished < The floorboards hidden under the Tatami are well polished>
4. The upper floor on the main drawing rooms is constructed with a complete floating system
5. The Birthplace of Heinai Okazaki VII, a Leader of Independence Movement for Tottori Prefecture once merged in 1876 and reborn in 1881
1) Heinai Okazaki VII was elected as the first President of the Prefecture Assembly in 1882
2) He was elected as the first Mayor of Tottori City in 1889
3) He was elected as one of the first members of the House of Representatives of the Japanese Imperial Diet elected from Tottori Prefecture in 1890
6. The Residence-Office of Masako Nakata, one of the First Female Japanese Lawyers who lived here and worked for the protection of women and human rights for 53 years until 2003
7. It is supposed to be a prototype for the Palace “Yasuhime” constructed in the premises of the main palace of the clan in Edo (Tokyo)
1) Yasuhime, princess of the Shogun, Ienari, married the feudal lord of Tottori-Ikeda, Narimichi, in 1840.
2) Heinai Okazaki V was appointed to be in charge of construction of the Palace for Princess Yasuhime in 1834
3) Heinai Okazaki V first sent to Edo a master carpenter, Gorohachi Morikawa in 1836 just after the completion of the samurai residence “Okazaki House” . Subsequently he himself accompanied the Construction Magistrate, Notonojyun Ikeda in 1837
4) As the Palace “Yasuhime” was highly appreciated, the salary level of Heinai Okazaki V was almost doubled after the marriage ceremony of the Princess “Yasuhime” and lord Narimichi in 1841
5) The Palace “Yasuhime” had a special drawing room on the second floor of the Sleeping Palace. This drawing room commands a fine view of Edo Castle similarly to the “Okazaki House” whose hidden second floor drawing room commands a fine view of Tottori Castle.
*being surveying for repairing
◆Plans: Main Floor; 1,933 square foot ( 177.5㎡ )
Second Floor; 1,374 square foot ( 126.2㎡ )
Total Floor Area; 3,307 square foot ( 303.7㎡ )
