This old straw-thatched house was built more than 150 years ago. Ninomiya Sontoku, a famous re-constructor of farming areas lived here.
Last visit was in hot summer a few years ago. This time visit in late fall made me think about lives one and a half centuries ago. In the night, wooden sliding doors were pulled out in front of the wooden passageway and prevented the house from the coldness. In the morning, the doors were removed and the chilled air directly faced paper sliding doors.
Residents warmed themselves at a few charcoal braziers put on tatami mats. There were no heater warmer than that.
I think that old houses in this country were built suitable for hot and humid days alone.
There is the shrine for this re-constructor near his house. The tree of yellow leaves on the right side is ginkgo. Ginkyo is called "ichou". This pronunciation is based on Cantonese '鴨脚：duck foot". It's a good naming.
Red maple leaves feast visitor's eyes.
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHello rtc, We have a few Japanese-style houses like this still in Taiwan. One is the Sun Yat Sen house very close to where I live. Although right in downtown Taipei, it is usually empty. There is a small park with pond and gardens, and the house itself, which has historic displays inside. I'll have to go back when I can find a nice day.
ReplyDelete--Jim
It is a beautiful house.
ReplyDeleteDearest RTC,
ReplyDeleteGuess you are right in mentioning the suitability of older homes. Not alone in Japan though.
Humidity has been affecting humans health in a big and negative way for ages.
But people back then had so little, if anything at all, for changing their indoor climate and temperature.
It makes us more humble to know how our ancestors had to deal with life and above all, about survival during each winter season!
Hugs,
Mariette
It IS hard to think about how people kept warm back then. The photos are lovely!
ReplyDelete紅葉與歷史建築相輝映🍁🏡
ReplyDeleteIt has stood the test of time.
ReplyDeleteLove that maple.
Nice photos. It looks like an interesting place to visit.
ReplyDeleteOhh if we only could do time travel and see this beautiful house with all the surroundings from that time
ReplyDeleteBeautiful people working and with the beautiful clothes they used to wear
Thanx for sharing wonderful pixtures
May your day be peaceful and nice
Anita
I enjoyed seeing these old houses! Life was different back then. When I was very young, we had a furnace that burned sawdust, I think. We had electricity. No internet or computers or cell phones. No dishwashers except me and my mom, probably my sister as well. Nice maple tree. We have some in our area as well. Our shogetsu flowering cherry tree's leaves were so pretty a few weeks ago but now they are all gone, til spring comes, which is in the month of March! Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteWonderful view of the village, RTC. I think this old house is typical of the Japanese countryside. Interesting doors in the house, poor people who couldn't keep warm.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your photographs and the additional information ...
ReplyDeleteThat red maple is lovely.
All the best Jan
That is a very old house. It doesn't look too sturdy, but it probably is having been around for more than 150 years. I love to look at old buildings and houses. There is much history in them. I always wonder if straw-made roofs fall apart in the rain or heavy storms. The red maples are so pretty gracing the property.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
~Sheri
紅葉好靚
ReplyDelete呢處好似好郊外，冇乜其他屋。
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the house and the more detailed view. I am wondering how cold it gets there...that does not sound like muc heat.
ReplyDeleteI think ginkgo tree has the prettiest leaves. We don't see them much here. I only know where one is and it is 45 minutes from here. I am sure there are some closer, somewhere, but I know not where.
The straw-thatched house looks very picturesque!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, thatched roofs provide durable,natural insulation which will keep the house cool in summer, warm in winter.
A wonderful century-old house, all the environment around it is spectacular. I especially loved the last photo, the red maple leaves enchant our eyes.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend
Wonderful old house and beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Beautiful red maple
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend !
Belíssimas imagens e publicação que nos deram a conhecer os edifícios tradicionais, do século passado!
ReplyDeleteAdorei ver! Um grande abraço!
Ana