Nakata Yashiki
History
The Nakata served as heads of the Idegawa Clan. The Nakaya-yashiki itself sat on the main road into the town, and in 1726, owing to a change in domain boundaries, the yashiki was located next to the Idegaw-bansho, a checkpoint and guardhouse which controlled the flow of traffic into Matsumoto; the borders reverted in 1743 and the bansho was removed. The Nakata-yashiki became known as the Nakata-goten because the lord of Matsumoto Domain would lodge and rest there. The structures themselves were accordingly lavish, and the residence's beautiful garden is still maintained today. It would follow that the Nakata had the heriditary rank of shoya, or village magistrate. "Goten" usually refers to a palace structure within a castle, but it can also refer to any lavish residence, including retreats and dedicated rest houses used by the Shōgun, or the Daimyō in this case. Although Idegawa is today part of Matsumoto (proper), during the Edo Period the Nakata-yashiki would've been surrounded by countryside. From the Nakata-yashiki (and Idegawa-bansho), one had to pass three rivers, the Ta, the Susuki and the Metoba, before reaching the castle's main gate.
The architecture of the residence is distinctly vernacular; the honmune-źukuri style developed in Chikuma during the early to mid' Edo Period. There is at least one structure remaining from the Edo Period apparently, although the omoya (main building) dates to 1890, being reconstructed from fine timber sourced from Takatô and Suwa. It is a municipal level important cultural property. During the Edo Period the Nakata took advantage of their proximity to the bustling castle town of Matsumoto and went into business as saké brewers. As mantioned, the lord of Matsumotojō would stay at the "palace". In 1880 the Emperor Meiji briefly rested here. It was a koyasumi-dokoro (rest stop lodging) of the lord of the castle, but in reference to the Emperor Meiji it was an o'koyasumi-dokoro (honourable rest stop lodging)! So I guess it got promoted.
Visit Notes
I came across this old residence by chance! The Nakata Residence was historically the Nakata-yashiki, the fortified residence of the Nakata-Idegawa Clan located in Idegawa Village, of which the partriarch was also village headman. In the mid' Edo Period there was adjacent a fortified checkpoint between domain boundaries. It is likely that throughout the later course of the Edo Period these fortified features were gradually minimalised, and if any survived they have since been developed over. Since this residence was used as a place to rest by the Lord of Matsumoto Castle, however, security would've been kept tight.
The residence is not open to the public. It was at some point but has closed its doors citing influenza concerns. There is currently no schedule for re-opening. These photos show exteriors only, and no garden unfortunately.
| Castle Profile | |
|---|---|
| English Name | Nakata Yashiki |
| Japanese Name | 中田屋敷 |
| Alternate Names | 中田御殿 Nakata-goten |
| Founder | Nakata Clan |
| Year Founded | Edo Period |
| Castle Type | Fortified Manor |
| Castle Condition | No main keep but other buildings |
| Designations | has Important Cultural Properties |
| Historical Period | Edo Period |
| Features | palace |
| Visitor Information | |
| Access | Minami-Matsumoto Station on the Chūō Main Line / Shinonoi Line; 15 minute walk |
| Visitor Information | The residence is not open to the public. It was at some point but has closed its doors citing influenza concerns. There is currently no schedule for re-opening |
| Time Required | 20 minutes |
| Website | http://www.city.matsumoto.nagano.jp/miryoku/bunkazai/matsumotonotakara/takara/shi/kenzou/nakatakejyuutaku.html |
| Location | Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture |
| Coordinates | 36° 12' 55.80" N, 137° 58' 26.98" E |
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| Admin | |
| Added to Jcastle | 2021 |
| Contributor | ART |
| Admin Year Visited | Viewer Contributed |
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