'First, take a wife; second, have grandchildren; third, build a treasure storehouse.'
In Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, an old saying has been passed down: it means that a man's life is truly successful if he marries a good wife, has an heir, and builds a splendid storehouse.
It was even said that "a man who cannot own a storehouse by the age of forty cannot be considered a full-fledged adult." Today, after municipal mergers, Kitakata City still has over 4,000 storehouses existing. When considering the population ratio, this is an astonishing density.
Why did the people of Kitakata pour so much passion into building "storehouses"? This time, we will guide you through the hot pride of the men of Kitakata and their unique business philosophy (culture) hidden behind the nostalgic scenery.
Not just a storage room. The ultimate status: "Kura-zashiki"
Generally speaking, a storehouse is a "shed" for storing rice and household goods. However, the biggest feature of Kitakata's storehouses is that many are built as "Kura-zashiki," designed for humans to live comfortably and welcome guests.
Absolute status of a man
There are storehouses equipped with large halls capable of hosting grand banquets for weddings and funerals, and detached storehouses where retired grandfathers live. Some even go as far as to build the outdoor toilet (kawaya) in the style of a storehouse, showcasing an incredible commitment to the "Kawaya-gura."
At that time, there was an unspoken rule among matchmakers that "it is permissible to exaggerate the number of storehouses up to three," indicating that the number and size of storehouses were an "absolute status of family lineage and economic power."
The epitome of luxury! The massive storehouse called "Ujō" made of black plaster
Among Kitakata's storehouses, the most luxurious is the Kura-zashiki of the "Kai Honke (Registered Tangible Cultural Property)." Its exterior walls are covered with the finest "black plaster," and due to its massive and glossy appearance, it was called "Ujō (the castle of a giant crow)."
A construction cost of 500 million yen!? The grand episode of "Ujō"
The fourth head of the family, Kai Yoshigorō, invested seven years and a vast fortune (over 500 million yen in today's value!) from the age of 40, gathering precious woods from all over the country to create a true "dream of a man's life."
During construction, as many as 90 craftsmen worked tirelessly on the garden every day. Because he generously distributed 10-sen bills (the currency of the time) as tea money daily, there is a grand episode where neighbors speculated, "Is the Kai family printing money...?"
[Academic Perspective] The teachings of "Tōju Gaku" that gave birth to the town of storehouses
So, why did commerce develop so much in Kitakata, and why did the culture of building storehouses take root? The answer lies in the academic thought of "Tōju Gaku (the teachings of Nakai Tōju)" that permeated Kitakata during the Edo period.
Confucianism vs. Tōju Gaku
At that time, the Edo Shogunate upheld "Confucianism," which valued the class system (samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants) as an absolute rule. However, the people of Kitakata supported Tōju Gaku, which was more practical and aligned with human nature.
In a nutshell, the teachings of Fujigaku say, "Whether noble or commoner, all humans are equal. Competing vigorously and earning wealth justly is not a disgrace, but rather a wonderful thing!" If you were a merchant at that time, how much relief and motivation would you have felt hearing this teaching amidst the strict class system of the shogunate?
This "free and positive business philosophy" combined with a strong competitive spirit and pride towards Aizuwakamatsu (the castle town) became the energy that led to the creation of the beautiful streets we see today, with the sentiment of, "Alright, I will build a splendid storehouse too!"
A photographer who protected the disappearing landscapes
During the high economic growth period of the Showa era, old storehouses were on the verge of being demolished one after another as "outdated and obstructive things." The one who saved them was a local photographer, Minoru Kaneda. He captured the beauty of the vanishing storehouses in photographs and held exhibitions to make the townspeople realize that "the landscape of these storehouses is an overwhelming treasure unique to Kitakata."
At "Tabinoito," we offer tours in an academic style that not only allow you to view these storehouses in Kitakata but also explain the philosophy of "Fujigaku" and the pride and determination of the men behind them.
Filled with passionate stories that can only be experienced on-site, such as the romantic episode of Yamato River Sake Brewery, which "laid tracks and pulled the entire storehouse (relocated it)," why not join us on a fieldwork trip to touch the "essence of Kitakata" that the 4,000 storehouses have to share?
[A fieldwork experience touching the essence of history for adults]
A journey that comfortably explores the real breath of history, different from period dramas, in a dedicated vehicle.
A dedicated guide will introduce you to the stories of Aizu that are not found in textbooks.
First, feel free to consult with us via LINE.
