About the Kuraku Matsuemon Residence
This is the residence of Kuraku Matsuemon, a major figure in shipping and harbor renovations around the turn of the 19th century. During the Edo period (1603 to 1867), Takasago thrived as a port town thanks to the Kakogawa River route and sea route.The house was located in front of a dock on the south canal.
The main building, which dates from the late Edo period, is a wooden two-story structure with tile roofing. The first floor has an earthen-floor hallway (tori-niwa), a well, a kitchen, and nine other rooms. The second floor has seven rooms.
In January 2016, the Kuraku Matsuemon Residence was designated a Takasago City cultural property in recognition of its historic value.
Site area: 652 m2 Floor area: 248 m2
Date: Late Edo period (early 19th century)
Building Renovations
In January 2016, the Kuraku family donated the Kuraku Matsuemon Residence to the city of Takasago.
The building had deteriorated with age, so the city restored most of the house to its original architectural style. Repair work was carried out over a 16-month period.
The koshiyane raised roof was restored, but some of the rooms were left Western style and new stairs and restrooms were built.
Takasago and Horikawa Area Improvement Project
The area around the Kuraku Matsuemon Residence used to feature canals (horikawa) and still retains some of the historical townscape of the early 19th century. Repair work on the residence, improvement of the street paving, and installation of information boards were completed in March 2018, using funding from national and local authorities.
South Canal Excavation and Parking Lot
Prior to construction work on a parking lot on the east side of the residence, an archaeological excavation was carried out. This revealed that the remains of the south canal had been well preserved from the Edo period.
The remains of a dock were found, including a stone embankment and stone steps for loading and unloading cargo from boats.
In constructing the parking lot, we have left part of the excavated south canal openly visible.
The parking lot accommodates 14 vehicles.
(at time of excavation)
(at time of excavation)
(at time of excavation)
Matsuemon the First and the Kuraku Family
Kuraku Matsuemon the First (1743 to 1812) was born in Higashimiya, Takasago. At a young age, he moved to the port of Hyogo-tsu (present-day Hyogo Ward, Kobe City) to become a sailor. Later in life, he ran a shipping business by the name of Mikageya. He also developed Matsuemon-ho, a tough but flexible canvas material used for ships’ sails.
At the request of feudal domains and the Edo shogunate, Matsuemon renovated harbors across the country. He worked on harbors in Hakodate (Hokkaido), on Etorofu Island, and in Tomo no Tsu (present-day Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture). In 1810, he moved to Takasago.
Matsuemon’s descendants continued his legacy of contributing to the community through engineering work, leading projects such as harbor renovations and the development of new farmland in their hometown of Takasago.
From the late 19th century, the Kuraku family ran a sugar wholesale business while interacting with notable cultural figures of the time. The Kuraku family residence became a place where renowned artists like Munakata Shiko gathered and socialized.
(Takasago Shrine)
