Former Kijima House

Overview

The Former Kijima House, located in Yanagicho, Saga City, is the oldest surviving Machiya-style townhouse in the city, dating back to the early Edo period. Believed to have been built in the early 18th century, it's considered the oldest such structure in Saga's castle town. The "Saga Castle Town Kamadocho" (a mid-19th-century record) mentions Takayō Isuke, an Ashigaru (foot soldier) who served during the Edo period, as residing there and operating a wholesale business. An 1890 copperplate print collection, "Saga-ken Dokuannai," describes Takayō Iyo-suke's shop as a "tobacco brokerage and sea/land transportation business," suggesting that it later became an oil merchant's establishment during the late Meiji period. This suggests the building served multiple purposes as a residence, shop, and warehouse. Its expansive earth floor (doma), robust framework, and strong structural design reflect the characteristics of the mid-Edo period, while the design of the tatami rooms and facade also show features of the Meiji period. After World War II, the Former Kijima House came under the ownership of the Kijima family. However, it was sadly dismantled in 1993 due to the widening of a prefectural road. The present building is a reconstruction using the original materials, rebuilt in the style of the late Meiji period. It was designated as an important cultural property of Saga City in 1995. The Former Kijima House is one of the Saga City History and Folklore Museum's properties and serves as a valuable resource for understanding the history of Saga City. Offering a glimpse into the daily life and commerce of the time, it's a must-see destination.