Ashigaru Nagaya (Foot Soldier's Long House)

Overview

The Ashigaru Nagaya is a long, narrow house in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture, that served as housing for *ashigaru* (foot soldiers) of the Shibata Domain during the Edo period. It's designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Only one building remains; it's a thatched-roof *nagaya* that housed eight households. While the exact construction date is unknown, a dated inscription found during renovations in 1969 reveals the year as 1842 (Tenpo 13). The building was inhabited until its restoration in 1969. The discovery of the inscription during this renovation work confirmed the building date. The Ashigaru Nagaya is a valuable historical site offering a glimpse into the daily lives of *ashigaru* in the Shibata Domain. It provides insights not only into their lifestyle but also into the social structure and culture of the Shibata Domain. The Ashigaru Nagaya is managed and opened to the public by the Hokubu Bunka Hakubutsukan (Northern Culture Museum). In addition to the Ashigaru Nagaya, the museum also features exhibits on the history and culture of the Shibata Domain. When visiting Shibata City, be sure to stop by the Ashigaru Nagaya and imagine the lives of the *ashigaru* during the Edo period.