The Former Koseki Residence is a historic samurai house located along the Sawabata River, just north of Shiroishi Castle in Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture. Once the home of a middle-ranking samurai who served the Katakura family, the former lords of Shiroishi Castle, the residence is an important cultural property that preserves the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town.
During restoration work, an inscription written in ink was discovered indicating that the house was built on February 12, 1730. In 1991, the Koseki family donated the main house, gate, and walls to Shiroishi City, and the entire property was subsequently restored with the aim of recreating its original appearance. In 1993, it was designated a Miyagi Prefecture Cultural Property and continues to be carefully preserved as a place where visitors can experience the history of Shiroishi’s castle town.
The Former Koseki Residence stands in Ushirokoji, an area on the northern side of Shiroishi Castle that once faced the Sawabata River, which served as part of the castle’s outer moat. Although the area is now a quiet residential neighborhood, many residences of middle-ranking samurai once stood here.
Clear water from the Sawabata River flows beside the property, while trees and greenery fill the garden. The combination of the historic building, garden, and waterway creates a beautiful landscape where visitors can experience the atmosphere of the old castle town. From spring through summer, the lush greenery adds seasonal color to the peaceful surroundings.
The Koseki family served as vassals of the Katakura family, who were the lords of Shiroishi Castle. The family is particularly associated with service as attendants to the lord’s household, making the residence an important site for understanding the lives of samurai who lived in Shiroishi during the Edo period.
A map of Shiroishi Castle Town drawn in 1856, based on an earlier map from 1761, records the locations of samurai and townspeople’s residences as well as the names of their occupants. The name “Koseki Uemonshichi” can be found at the location of the Former Koseki Residence. By comparing historical documents with the surviving building, visitors can gain a more vivid impression of what Shiroishi looked like during the Edo period.
The discovery of an ink inscription during restoration confirmed that the Former Koseki Residence was built in 1730, during the Edo period. With more than 290 years of history, it is a valuable surviving example of a samurai residence from this era.
Rather than featuring elaborate decoration, the house has a simple and practical design. Its modest appearance reflects the lifestyle and social position of the samurai who lived there. Visiting the Former Koseki Residence together with Shiroishi Castle allows visitors to see both the residence of the castle lord and the more modest home of one of his retainers, offering a fuller picture of life in an Edo-period castle town.
The main house faces north and features a hipped, thatched roof. It measures approximately 7.5 bays from front to back and four bays in width. Rather than resting on a conventional foundation, its pillars stand directly on stones, a traditional construction method known as ishiba-date.
A smoke vent was built into the rear gable to allow smoke from the kitchen to escape. Different wall construction methods were also used according to the function of each room: traditional exposed-post walls were used around the formal rooms, while more enclosed walls were used around the kitchen. These details reveal the practical character of a samurai residence.
The interior centers on a spacious room known as the Chanoma, or main living room, with the Nakama and Nando arranged around it. This simple three-room layout reflects the everyday lifestyle of the family.
The Chanoma was the center of daily life and was relatively spacious, allowing family members to gather together. The Nakama at the front of the upper side served as a formal sitting room, with an alcove and a traditional window. The Nando is believed to have been used as a sleeping room.
Walking through these rooms makes it possible to imagine how samurai families lived in an era when homes were arranged very differently from modern houses.
The kitchen courtyard contains distinctive examples of traditional timber construction. A central pillar known as the Ushimochi-bashira supports structural members such as the Ushibari and Doigeta. The building also preserves a construction technique known as Torii-date.
The simple floor plan and traditional structural methods are considered evidence of a transitional form of samurai residence. The house appears to retain characteristics derived from farmhouses while gradually incorporating features associated with samurai residences. The fact that its construction date is clearly established adds considerably to its historical value.
Visitors enter the property by crossing a small earthen bridge and passing through a simple gable-roofed gate. Earthen walls then enclose a narrow approach leading to the main entrance. A small opening resembling a loophole can also be seen at the front, giving the property a distinctly samurai-like appearance.
Unlike more formal residences, the house does not have a ceremonial entrance with a raised platform. Instead, visitors could pass through a gate in the wall, follow the approach, and enter directly onto the veranda of the formal room. The arrangement of the gate, walls, path, garden, and main house demonstrates that this was carefully designed as an Edo-period samurai residence, rather than simply being an old traditional house.
The Former Koseki Residence is sometimes used for seasonal events in addition to regular sightseeing. These activities provide opportunities to experience traditional Japanese customs and learn more about the everyday culture of the past.
During summer, the residence may be decorated with Tanabata ornaments. Visitors may have opportunities to write wishes on small strips of paper called tanzaku and hang them on bamboo branches. The colorful decorations against the historic architecture create a charming seasonal atmosphere.
In December, a Winter Solstice event may feature Toji kabocha, a traditional dish of pumpkin simmered with sweet red beans. Eating pumpkin around the winter solstice reflects an old practice of making use of nutritious foods that could be stored through the colder months.
In January, a Nanakusa event may also be held, featuring Nanakusa-gayu, or seven-herb rice porridge. The seven traditional herbs are shepherd’s purse, chickweed, cudweed, chickweed-related herbs, turnip, and daikon, among others depending on the regional naming tradition. This traditional New Year dish is associated with caring for the body after the holiday season and wishing for health and well-being.
The Former Koseki Residence is especially rewarding when combined with a visit to Shiroishi Castle. At the castle, visitors can learn about the Katakura family and the history of the castle’s lords, while the samurai residence provides a glimpse into the everyday life of one of their retainers.
Seeing the castle and a samurai residence together makes it easier to understand the social structure of an Edo-period castle town and the different roles played by its residents.
The residence is approximately a 10-minute walk from JR Shiroishi Station, making it possible to visit on foot from the castle area. Walking along the Sawabata River, visitors can enjoy the greenery, historic buildings, and peaceful streets of the old castle town.
The Former Koseki Residence is a valuable historic site where the main house, gate, walls, garden, and Sawabata River landscape come together to preserve the character of an Edo-period samurai residence built in 1730.
The house was not designed to display wealth or grandeur. Instead, its simple and practical architecture provides insight into the everyday lives and social position of the samurai who lived in Shiroishi. The thatched roof, traditional timber framework, modest floor plan, and living spaces offer visitors a tangible connection to life in an Edo-period castle town.
As a designated Miyagi Prefecture Cultural Property, the residence offers a rare opportunity to see an authentic historic building while learning about the people who supported the Katakura family. Combined with a visit to Shiroishi Castle and a walk through the surrounding historic streets, it is an excellent way to experience the history and atmosphere of Shiroishi’s old castle town.
April-October 9:00-17:00
November - March: 9:00 - 16:00
December 28 - 31
Adults 200 yen
Children 100 yen
15 minutes on foot from “Shiroishi Station” on the JR East Tohoku Main Line
10 minutes drive from “Shiroishi IC” of Tohoku Expressway