House of the Kumagai Family (Important Cultural Property)
House of the Kumagai Family (Important Cultural Property)
50m southwest of the Magistrate's Office is the largest tradesman's house on the main street of the Omori-Ginzan District. Headed by a local financier who served as a town official and enjoyed the patronage of the local Magistrate, the Kumagai Family was among the most influential merchant families in the town during the 19th century. These structures (the main building and five storehouses) underwent a major conservation and repair effort from 2001 to 2005 in order to return the building to its former glory of the mid to late 19th century. The residence was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1800 and has since been rebuilt in stages over time. Today this valuable piece of architecture gives us a glimpse of the lifestyle of the people at the time, and changes in building construction style.