Takakusa Residence

Overview

The Takakusa Residence is a wealthy farmer's mansion in Takahashi, Okayama Prefecture, built in the late Edo period. It's designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. This residence is a valuable resource that conveys the lifestyle and architectural style of wealthy farmers of that time, offering visitors a fascinating look into their daily lives. The Takakusa family was a prominent farming family in Takahashi, engaging in rice and wheat cultivation, sericulture (silk production), and cotton production during the Edo period. This mansion preserves the appearance of their prosperity, allowing visitors to imagine their daily routines. The Takakusa Residence consists of several buildings, including the main house, storehouses, and a gate. The main house features a spacious earthen floor (doma), elegant tatami rooms (zashiki), and a kitchen and storage rooms further in. These rooms not only reveal aspects of daily life but also provide insights into the architectural and lifestyle trends of the time. The residence also displays everyday tools and farming implements, offering a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of the time. For example, the earthen floor displays mortars and pestles used for grinding rice and wheat, and spinning wheels for cotton. The tatami rooms showcase period furniture and furnishings, revealing the affluence of wealthy farmers. The Takakusa Residence is one of the few remaining Edo-period buildings in Takahashi, a valuable historical legacy. When visiting Takahashi, be sure to visit the Takakusa Residence and experience the life of that era.