Hamaya Residence, Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property

Overview

The Hamaya Residence is a Gassho-style farmhouse designated as a National Important Cultural Property, located in the Gokayama Gassho-style village in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. Built in the late Edo period, it's a precious structure that preserves the traditional lifestyle of the Gokayama region. The Hamaya family served as hereditary kan-iri-yaku (officials responsible for managing affairs) and also as the Gokayama saltpeter representatives who manufactured 'kami-ni shio-sho' (a type of refined saltpeter). Construction documents reveal that the current house began construction in Bunka 9 (1812) and was completed by Bunka 11. The building is a large Gassho-style farmhouse with a 13.5 ken (approximately 24.3 meters) span, a 5.5 ken (approximately 9.9 meters) depth, a gable roof, thatched roofing, and a gable-end entrance. High-quality materials were used in the Butsuma (storeroom) and Oku-zasiki (inner room), with meticulous craftsmanship. The roof structure is a 'hashi-kubi-gumi' (a type of forked rafter system), with long timbers forming a distinctive 'folded hands' shape. The spacious attic is divided into three levels. In the Gokayama region, this 'hashi-kubi-gumi' roof structure is well-suited to the snowy climate, effectively distributing the weight of the snow. The Hamaya Residence is a high-quality structure built with excellent materials and superior techniques. It is a valuable example of a large Gassho-style farmhouse representing the late Edo period in the Gokayama region. When visiting the Gokayama Gassho-style village, be sure to visit the Hamaya Residence.