Shikairo (Four-Story Building)

Overview

Shikairo is a wooden Western-style building located in Murotsu, Kaminoseki-cho, Kuma-gun, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It was built in 1879 by Ogata Kenkuro, who returned to his hometown after the Meiji Restoration and established a business in maritime transport and operated a steamboat inn. As its name suggests, Shikairo is a four-story structure featuring cornerstones, a common element in Western architecture. However, its unique blend of Japanese and Western styles is evident in its traditional wooden frame coated in plaster, tall, Western-style windows, and a hipped roof with Japanese-style tiles. This fusion earns it the designation of a 'pseudo-Western' building (giyoufu kenchiku). This blend continues in the interior, with Chinese lions adorning the third floor and phoenixes gracing the fourth. The fourth floor boasts an 18-tatami-mat room (approximately 30 square meters) with stained-glass windows on all four sides, creating a breathtaking display of light. While the architect remains unknown, the building showcases the advanced technology of the time and Ogata Kenkuro's meticulous attention to detail. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, Shikairo holds significant historical value. Formerly operating as the "Shikairo" Ryokan, it is now open to the public. It offers a rare opportunity to experience the architectural style and daily life of the Meiji era. Be sure to visit Shikairo when exploring Kaminoseki-cho.