STUDY ON OKURA AT THE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE OF THE FEUDAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED IN IKUNO-GINZAN TOWN IN THE EDO PERIOD

Abstract

 Chapter 1: The purpose of this study is to clarify the characteristics of building structures and scenic value of Okura at the magistrate's office of the feudal government established in Ikuno-Ginzan town in the Edo Period. Tajimanokuni (Tajima Province), where the Ikuno magistrate's office was established, was called the Santan region including Tanbanokuni (Tanba Province) and Tangonokuni (Tango Province). These provinces had similar geographical conditions, and each had its magistrate's office of the feudal government or Hatamoto respectively.
 Chapter 2: First, as the past study, it shows Okura of the Takayama-machi magistrate's office that I examined before. Next, it shows procedures of the study. And it clarifies the facts of "Kuchi-okura" of the Ikuno magistrate's office to compare with the following three factors: (1) "Oku-okura" located outside the town, (2) Okura of magistrate's offices of the feudal government or Hatamoto in the Santan region, and (3) silver mine facilities in the town.
 Chapter 3: It shows the facts of "Kuchi-okura". "Kuchi-okura" had two large-sized Kura, which were allocated separately with Honjin (main house) at the center. And both Kura protected Honjin from each side. There was Hakariba (inspection station for the rice collected for taxation) under the lean-to roof of each Okura, which was surrounded by walls with horizontal windows and doorways. This structure was also found in "Oku-okura".
 Chapter 4 & 5: It makes comparisons between "Kuchi-okura" and the above mentioned factors (1) - (3) to explore the meaning of their similarity. The size and allocation of Okura were completely different between "Kuchi-okura" and "Oku-okura". On the other hand, the size and allocation of Okura at magistrate's offices of Hatamoto in Tanba Province were in common with those of "Kuchi-okura". Also, Okura of the Takayama-machi magistrate's office was similar. Based on these findings, it pointed out that Okura at magistrate's offices of the feudal government or Hatamoto had spatial structures with consideration on Honjin. There was no lean-to roof for Okura at magistrate's offices of Hatamoto, but there was Hakariba in front of the entrance of Okura. Like "Kuchi-okura", Hakariba was surrounded by walls with openings. Such regional characteristics were found. Further, it pointed out common building structures of a silver refining facility called Fukiya in Ikuno-Ginzan town, Hakariba of Okura, and their respective front side. These facilities played a significant role for the management of silver mine of the feudal government. The role was to store important goods.
 Chapter 6: The conclusion was made. Every Okura established at magistrate's offices of the feudal government or Hatamoto in the Santan region had scenic value for magistrate's offices, however, in Ikuno-Ginzan town, Hakariba for the silver mine management was established together.As the result, it had a unique front unlike other Okura.