The "Nambu Magariya" is a unique residence of the Nanbu clan, which was well aware of the importance of horses [Iwate Prefecture]

"Magariya" is a unique and humane dwelling built to be used as a stable within the house. In the Kanto region and north, especially in Iwate Prefecture, "Nambu Magariya" were built during the Edo period.

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Horses are kept in a warm main house all day long, even in the cold and snow of winter

In various parts of the Tohoku region, old houses with L-shaped thatched roofs remain. They are called "magariya" (curved houses), and although the name may vary slightly depending on the region, such as "magariya," "magariya," "magariya," "magariya," or "magariya," they are particularly common in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture (nanbu magariya)

mackerel- style farmhouses were built in which horses lived together in stables built inside the house

There were many magariyas from Iwate to Aomori prefectures, and although they were both magariyas in the sense that they were used to live with horses, the purpose of raising them was completely different from that of other regions

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The Nanbu clan was well aware of the importance of horses

During the Edo period, the Nanbu Domain controlled most of Iwate Prefecture and the area from the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture to the area around Hachinohe

The Nanbu clan was a branch of the Minamoto clan that founded the Kamakura shogunate. They were initially given territory in Nanbu, Kai Province (present-day Nanbu Town, Yamanashi Prefecture) and took the surname Nanbu. They later participated in the Oshu War in 1189, in which Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199) defeated the Oshu Fujiwara clan of Hiraizumi, and as a reward for their great feat, they were assigned the eastern part of the Tohoku region (Nukabu County, a former place name)

originally a breeding ground for very strong horses that were useful as laborers . The Nanbu clan wondered if they could use these horses for military purposes, so they built ranches and began raising them. At the same time, they encouraged farmers to raise horses as well.

The importance of horses was also recognized by the Edo Shogunate, and the third Shogun of the Edo Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemitsu, entrusted two Persian horses (Arabian breed) imported from the Netherlands to the Nanbu Domain and ordered them to be improved. At the time, native Japanese horses were strong but not very swift, so he tried to create the ideal horse by crossing them with the speedy Arabian breed.

Furthermore, there is a record at Bareki Shrine in Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture, that the 8th Shogun, Yoshimune, also donated a Persian horse (Tang Horse Monument).

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A farmhouse where military horses are raised, with a large curved house standing out

Farmers had originally kept horses for farm work, so they were familiar with handling horses, so it was not difficult for them to receive and raise military horses from the feudal domain

The curved houses were the best way to keep horses warm and comfortable during the winter. It is believed that several military horses were kept in one house, and the curved houses are larger and more impressive than those in other regions. This suggests that farmers who raised military horses were highly valued by the feudal domain

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The few remaining "Nambu Magariya" houses

Due to the involvement of the Nanbu clan, the Nanbu region's magariya, known as "Nambu Magariya," outlived their usefulness over time and were demolished one after the other. The few remaining precious Nambu Magariya can be seen the Former Sasaki Residence, which is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan , as well as six other relocated and preserved houses at Tono Furusato Village, Tono Denshoen, and Morioka Handicraft Village.

*The Chiba Residence (Tono City, Iwate Prefecture), a nationally designated Important Cultural Property and representative of the Nanbu Magari-ya style, is currently undergoing major renovations and is not open to the public as of April 2022. Completion is scheduled for 2027

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The former Sasaki family residence, built in the 1700s. "Iwate Prefectural Museum"

The "Former Sasaki Residence" is a valuable building that retains its old style and is believed to have been built between the end of the Edo period and the early Meiji period. It was originally located in Iwaizumi Town, Iwate Prefecture, but was moved to the "Iwate Prefectural Museum" in Morioka City and is now open to the public. It is a nationally designated important cultural property

Iwate Prefectural Museum <Information>

• Facility name: Iwate Prefectural Museum
• Address: 34 Matsuyashiki, Ueda, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-661-2831
• Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 (entry accepted until 16:00)
• Admission fee: Adults 310 yen, Students 140 yen
• Closed: Mondays (or the following weekday if it is a public holiday), New Year's holidays, and during material reorganization periods (please inquire)
• URL: Iwate Prefectural Museum website

Google Map

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Tono Furusato Village, where six Nanbu Magariya houses have been relocated and preserved

Tono Furusato Village is a facility that recreates a nostalgic farming village and allows you to experience farming

Within the village, houses built between the Edo and Meiji periods have been relocated and reconstructed, and visitors can also try their hand at rice planting, rice harvesting, pottery making, dyeing and other crafts

Six of the buildings are thatched-roof "Nambu Magariya" houses, and all are quite large and impressive for farmhouses

Tono Furusato Village <Information>

• Facility name: Tono Furusato Village, a natural homeland experience village
• Address: 5-89-1, Uematsubaushi, Tsubaushicho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0198-64-2300
• Opening hours:
  • March to October: 9:00-17:00 (reception until 16:00)
  • November to February: 9:00-16:00 (reception until 15:00)
• Closed: Winter (December to March) / Wednesdays, New Year's holiday period, April to November / Open daily
• Admission fee: 550 yen for adults, 330 yen for elementary, middle and high school students
• URL: Tono Furusato Village Hometown Experience Village Website

Google Map

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The former Kikuchi family residence, which has an extension to the curved house. "Tono Denshoen"

The Former Kikuchi Family Residence was built in the mid-1700s, with a curved-roof section added later to house military horses. It is a designated national important cultural property

The relocated "Tono Denshoen" is a facility where you can re-create traditional Tono events, listen to old stories and experience making folk crafts

Tono Denshoen Garden <Information>

• Facility name: Tono Denshoen
• Address: 5-1, Tsuchibuchi 6-jiwari, Tsuchibuchicho, Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0198-62-8655
• Opening hours: 9:00-16:00 (entrance accepted until 15:30)
• Admission fee: Adults 330 yen, Elementary, Junior High and High School students 220 yen Closed days: Open daily
• URL: Tono Denshoen Homepage

Google Map

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Nanbu Magariya, almost exactly as it was in the old days. "Morioka Handmade Village"

Morioka Handmade Village is a complex facility divided into three zones: the Nanbu Magariya (Nambu Curved House), the Handmade Workshop, and the Morioka Regional Local Industry Promotion Center Zone. The Handmade Workshop has around 15 workshops that produce Nanbu rice crackers, Morioka cold noodles, Nanbu iron kettles, and more, and you can enjoy tours and try your hand at making things

The Nanbu Magariya was built in the late Edo period, and has been relocated and preserved in almost its original form, including the stables and dirt floor

Morioka Handmade Village <Information>

• Facility name: Morioka Handmade Village
• Address: 64-102 Tsunagari Oirino, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-689-2201
• Business hours: 8:40-17:00
• Closed: New Year's holidays
• Admission fee: 100 yen
• URL: Morioka Handmade Village Homepage

Google Map

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