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□ A Medieval Samurai Domicile: The Hikobe Family Manor
  The Hikobe Family Manor is located at the foot ofTeusuyama and is representative of Medieval Eraresidences. Since its establishment, the manor enjoys a long and venerable history in which it was continually adapted to suit the needs of successive generations.
In size, the manor is 130 meters from east to west and 110 meters from north to south, making it rectangular in shape. About 100 meters of its western perimeter is surrounded by a dry moat and earthwork retrenchment.
  The manor can be approached through either of two ways: through its "Toranomon" or main entrance gatehouse on the south side or through the "Karamete Gate" or rear entrance gate on the north side.
Inside the compound, several structures have been designated by the National Government as Important Cultural Assets. These include the "Omoya" or Main Residence, the "Inkyoya" or Winter Residence, the "Nagayamon" or Main Gatehouse, the "Bunkokura" or Archival Storehouse, and the "Zakura" or Granary. In addition, in the northwest corner of the compound there is the Takegaoka Hachimangu Shrine which is believed to have been brought to the compound during the reign of Minamoto no Yoshikuni and the Inarigu Shrine, vestiges of the Period of Warring States (1457-1568) and the Edo Era (1600-1868).
  A rivulet runs down through the garden from the bamboo grove accenting the water, stone bridge, waterfall, pond, and rocks which collectively make up the "Many Pleasures" landscaping typical of the Muromachi Period (1333-1568). This sort of landscaping is reminiscent of court nobility.
□ Main Historical Structures on the Compound
1. Omoya
(Main Residence)
  The main residence is constructed in the Irimoya (semigabled) style and has a thatched roof. The front of the building is about 18 meters wide and runs about11 meters in depth, making it a very large structure.
  This building was constructed during the early part of the Edo Era (1600-1868) and is one of the oldest such structures in Japan. This residence is typical of landed gentry of that era.
2. Nagayamon
(Gatehouse)
  The gatehouse is the front entrance to the manor and is about 10.3 meters in width and 6 meters in depth. It is constructed in the Yosemune (hipped roof) style and has a thatched roof. It is a long, narrow structure.
3. Fuyuzumi
(Winter Residence)
  This structure was a retirement residence for elderly family members. The front of the building is 10. 3 meters wide. The building is just under 6 meters deep and is constructed in the Yosemune (hipped roof) style with pantile roofing.
4. Bunkokura
(Archival Storehouse)
  This storage area is constructed of earthen walls.
  The front of the building is 10.9 meters wide and it is 4.7 meters deep. The roof is sheet iron and is built in the Kirizuma (gabled roof) style typical of the end of the Edo Era (1600-1868).
5. Kokugura
(Granary)
  The building is 3.8 meters wide and 9.4 meters deep. It has a pantile roof and is constructed in the Kirizuma (gabled roof) style typical of the end of the Edo Era (1600-1868).
6. Karamete Gate   This entrance to the manor compound at one time had a turret constructed on a mound at the entrance sometime during the middle of the 16th century.
7. Takegaoka Hachimangu Shrine   This shrine dates back to the 12th century and is said to have been brought from the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine of Minamoto no Yoshikuni (1089-1155).
8. Infirmary   Originally, this structure was a dormitory for employees used during the early part of the Showa Era (1926-1989) when textile manufacturing took place on the compound.
9. Garden   The garden was constructed during the middle of the 17th century. It is typical of the Muromachi Era (1333-1568) and landscaped in the "Many Pleasures" style popular at that time.
Herb dyeing room.
  Herb dyeing is conducted every Sunday at the manor, using herbs and plants found growing on the manor compound.