Let’s Save the National Treasure from
the Miraculous Historic Townscape of “Imaicho”!
The “Residential Site (Uninhabited)” has been designated a National Treasure. Next, I hope that the Imanishi Family Residence—which served as the “administrative hub” of an autonomous city during the Warring States period and under the Edo shogunate (feudal system)—will also be designated a National Treasure!
Embedded Files
The Imanishi family residence triggered the movement to preserve the cityscape in Japan.
The town declined its nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
— Choose self-governance over global recognition.
One title remains unawarded.
A national treasure for the Imanishi family residence.
The story is not over yet.
Discovered by scholars. Preserved by the people.
Recognized by UNESCO — and respectfully refused.
There is only one recognition this house still seeks:
National Treasure.
Grant it — and history is complete.
Global Appeal for National Treasure Designation
"In an era where history is often sacrificed for the sake of convenience, the Imanishi House stands as a rare testament to the power of a single 'No.' Since 1566, our family has guarded more than just an architectural masterpiece of rare Tsuga timber; we have preserved the very soul of autonomy. When industrialization threatened the sanctity of our town in the 19th century, my ancestor made the ultimate sacrifice—rejecting both a peerage and the arrival of the railway—to ensure that the silence and dignity of Imaicho would endure for centuries to come.
Today, as the 18th-generation head of this lineage, I invite you to join a global movement. This is not merely an appeal for a building, but a recognition of a 450-year-old promise to keep history alive. We ask for your support in designating the Imanishi House as a National Treasure of Japan—a symbol of resilient heritage for the entire world."
The figure that continued to support the town, despite being battered and bruised
Even after the Meiji Restoration, the Imanishi family, who continued to serve as city councilors, remained steadfast in their commitment to protecting the town, prioritizing this above personal honors such as the conferral of a peerage.
It is regrettable that the prison connected to the west of the main house and the three-story granary to the southwest of the main house collapsed during the 1927 (Showa 2) Kitatanago Earthquake; however, the fact that volunteers from Imai Town rushed to the scene and worked together to prop up and reinforce the structures with two logs to prevent them from collapsing was a gesture of appreciation toward our family and, above all, the greatest honor we could have received.
And the true reason the Imanishi family has stood firm to this day lies in the “reverence for fire” that successive generations of our family and the countless predecessors who supported this house have maintained without fail, not even for a single night, for over 370 years. Offering lamps to the gods and Buddhas, extinguishing the hearth fire, checking the lanterns, and reciting fire safety precautions within the silent mansion. This mind-boggling accumulation of daily routines will never be recorded on the main stage of history. Yet, it was the meticulous care—akin to prayer—offered by these nameless people that allowed the estate to escape the ravages of war, prevent fires, and preserve this vast space to this very day.
Architectural historian Teiji Ito recalls the state of the Imanishi family residence at the time he first visited Imai-cho in 1955 (Showa 32) as an assistant to Professors Katsu Sekino and Hakutaro Ota during the University of Tokyo’s National Machiya Survey.
Grass grew on the traditional tile roof; the corner posts were broken, the tiles were cracked, and rain poured unabated into the house.
Standing on the earthen floor, I could see that two pillars were barely holding up the tilting structure.
Even so, looking at it, I thought to myself:
“A diamond on a dunghill is still a diamond.”
I had never seen a private home like this before.
Usually, even if the exterior of a private home is plain, the interior is elaborately decorated.
But this house was the opposite.
It stood right in the middle of the road, as if blocking the way to protect the town.
Though battered and scarred, it still stands firm,
and with Imaicho at its back,
it looked less like a private home and more like a castle keep.
It was not just an old house.
It was a building that had taken the weight of people’s history upon itself and continued to support it.
The Pride of an Independent City and the Living Heritage
Rejecting World Heritage Status to Protect the Spirit of Autonomy
When Japan ratified the World Heritage Convention in 1992, Imaicho was highly praised by international experts, including UNESCO and ICOMOS, as a rare urban site that fully preserved the structure of a medieval temple town. It became a strong candidate for World Heritage designation, and Shiro Okabashi, then mayor of Kashihara, approached the former chairman of the Imanishi Family Preservation Foundation with a proposal.
At the time, the nomination was postponed based on the unanimous decision of residents who were concerned about the constraints it would place on their daily lives. However, this very decision was a manifestation of Imai-cho’s long-standing spirit of self-governance—a commitment to preserving its “living culture” through its own efforts, rather than relying on external evaluations.
They chose to decline the recommendation.
This decision was not based on mere inconvenience. It was a profound manifestation of the ancient spirit of the "Independent City (Jichitoshi)," a core identity of Imaicho. Rather than relying on external validation or succumbing to mass tourism, the residents chose to protect their "living culture" and the sanctity of their daily lives through their own self-governance.
The Imanishi Residence: The Spiritual and Physical Anchor
The Imanishi Residence has served as the spiritual and physical pillar of this preservation movement. This rare historical process—in which the residents themselves have preserved a value recognized by the world as a “living residential culture”—underpins the modern public significance and historical importance that warrant the designation of the Imanishi House as the “first private residence to be designated a National Treasure.”
“The Legitimacy of the Preservation Movement” Originating with the Imanishi Family
“The Legitimacy of the Preservation Movement” Originating with the Imanishi Family
Following two nationwide surveys of traditional townhouses conducted by the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tokyo—one in November 1956 and the other in May 1957—the building was designated as a National Important Cultural Property on June 18, 1957, under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. The ridge plaque, which provides evidence of the building’s construction date, was simultaneously designated as an attached Important Cultural Property.
*According to the ridge plaque, it reads: “Raised on the 22nd day of the 3rd month in the 3rd year of the Keian era (1650), by Master Carpenter Soga Fujiwara no Asomi Shirozaemon Kinbei of Imai, Wakasa Province.”
Furthermore, the designation of the Imanishi House as an Important Cultural Property served as a catalyst for recognizing that preserving the “point” (the individual house) in isolation from the “surface” (the townscape of Imai-machi) was impossible. This realization became the starting point for the townscape preservation movement and was a major impetus for the Agency for Cultural Affairs to establish the nationwide “Traditional Building Groups Preservation Districts (Denken)” system.
Architectural historian Teiji Ito often remarked, “A folk house possesses social function only by existing in its specific location. Designating the Imanishi Family Residence—which continues to stand in Imaicho, Japan’s premier Important Traditional Building Group Preservation District—as a National Treasure is not an act of envisioning a future where folk houses are valued, nor is it an act of glorifying the past; rather, it is an act of asking ourselves what the Japanese people have believed to be beauty throughout their lives.”
The designation of the Imanishi House as an Important Cultural Property goes beyond the mere protection of a single private residence; it holds public significance as the “sacred site and starting point of Japan’s townscape preservation movement.”
(Genna 1) 1615: In the western part of Imai, Ōno Harufusa of the Toyotomi forces captured Koriyama Castle, set fire to the areas around Hōryū-ji and Kudara-ji, and advanced into Imai Village, where fierce fighting ensued. However, thanks to the heroic efforts of Kawai Gonbei Kiyonaga (Imanishi Masafuyu) and his musket unit, the town remained unscathed.
The autonomous city of Sakai, on the other hand, was completely burned to the ground.
In May 1621 (Genna 7), Matsudaira Tadaaki, lord of Koriyama Castle, visited our family to commend our achievements in the Summer Campaign of Osaka. Following a banquet in our honor, we were presented with a naginata inscribed by Kunikatsu, commissioned by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Because we had defended the western entrance to Imai, we were advised to change our surname to Imanishi, which we did (while retaining the family name Nakahara).
In 1679 (Enpō 7), Imai-chō became a direct domain of the shogunate. The Imanishi family lost their samurai status and became townspeople, forfeiting their autonomy. However, they served as the head of the town elders for generations until the end of the Edo period, and even after the abolition of the feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures, they continued to be entrusted by the Meiji government with the task of maintaining public order within the town.
The 13th head of the family, Masatake Imanishi, declined the title of baron offered by the government and chose to preserve the townscape by opposing plans to build a railway station in Imaicho. As a result, the railway station was constructed on the side of present-day Oji Town. Although this decision delayed modernization, it ensured the preservation of Imaicho’s townscape.
As recognition of the townscape as a cultural asset grew, and out of concern that Imai-cho’s traditional landscape was gradually being eroded, the system for “Traditional Building Groups Preservation Districts” was established during the 1975 (Showa 50) revision of the Cultural Properties Protection Law. This involved designating the area as a “Traditional Building Group Preservation District” to advance preservation measures. However, residents could not reach a consensus, a joint survey of the townscape by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Construction began in 1977. Finally, in 1993, it was designated as an “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.”
The “Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings” in Imaicho spans approximately 600 meters east to west and 310 meters north to south, covering an area of about 17.4 hectares. Within the district, there are 501 buildings, 119 structures, and 69 environmental assets. Furthermore, the district boasts a cultural density rare even in Japan, with 9 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties, 3 prefecturally designated cultural properties, and 5 municipally designated cultural properties. It is the district with the highest number of such designations in the country.
(1) Clarity and Authenticity of the Construction Date: This building was constructed on March 22, 1650 (Keian 3), and its construction date is clearly substantiated by the ridge plaque and the inscription on the demon-faced roof tile. The ridge plaque has been designated as an attached cultural property, and its historical authenticity is recognized as extremely high. Cases where the construction date of a private residence is definitively confirmed are rare, and its historical value is particularly noteworthy.
(2) A Core Structure of an Autonomous City with Fortified Features This building is located at the western edge of the former moated settlement and is believed to have functioned as a defensive stronghold to the west. ・It protrudes onto the road to the north, forming a T-shaped masugata (defensive square). ・It features a high-visibility design intended for monitoring external threats, with plastered lattice windows installed on the north and east sides of the second-floor tatami room, which includes a tokonoma alcove.
・Approximately half of the floor plan consists of a dirt floor used as a public gathering space; the boundary between this area and the raised floor section features a doorframe and threshold integrated with a stop groove, with sliding doors installed. This stop groove is also found in other partitions, a technique used in castle architecture. These features transcend the typical townhouse style, representing a unique architectural form that incorporates the defensive and administrative functions of an autonomous city. The presence of a second-floor tokonoma, a second-floor room, and a formal entrance platform from the time of the promulgation of the Buke Shohatto (1615, Genna 1)—which strengthened regulations such as the class system—until the Genroku era, when restrictions were relaxed, serves as evidence that this house belonged to a samurai family.
(3) The second-story room in the southeast corner of the main building: A second-story room (separate room) is attached to the southeast corner of the main building, specifically to the south of the Buddhist altar room. It has been determined that this second-story room is not a later addition but dates from the same period as the main building.
Because this second-story room had undergone extensive alterations, it was provisionally deferred during the 1957 survey conducted upon the designation of the main building. However, a subsequent survey confirmed that it was built at the same time as the main building, and while its inclusion in the designation was naturally considered, it was decided not to designate it due to the extensive internal renovations and the wishes of the current owner. Although the structural form of the annex differs little from that of the main house, the smaller proportions of the timber framing—reflecting the proportional relationships of the individual components—and the presence of traces resembling a shoin-style room at the southern end of the first floor suggest that the 8-tatami-mat room on the south side is of the shoin style. With a view toward future designation, it was restored using the original materials.
The Only Complete Surviving Example of the “Chōdai-gamae” Structure in a Folk House
The chōdai-gamae structure of this house preserves in perfect condition features such as horizontal clapboard walls, sliding doors, paneled walls with built-in cupboards, and a “otoshi-sarū” locking mechanism, making it a crucial source for research on the history of Japanese housing.
For this reason, this house has often been referred to as the “Hōryū-ji of folk houses.”
It is a valuable example in the history of Japanese architecture where the “chōdai-gamae” structure has been preserved in its original form, and its structure and details were revealed during the dismantling and repair work carried out by the family.
The proper way to enter the “Nando” room is to open the sliding doors of the Chōdai-style structure and step over the raised threshold. The entrance to the Chōdai-style structure and the two-tiered sliding doors of the built-in closets are equipped with “Kururu” (drop-down latches) that lock, demonstrating ingenious security measures. Given that no other residences in Imai-cho are known to have such “kururu” locks on other rooms, it is reasonable to assume that the family was constantly mindful of defending against external threats. The left section features a horizontal paneled wall reinforced with vertical stanchions, with a sliding door approximately one ken wide set on a raised threshold, while the remainder consists of a paneled wall with built-in cupboards. When viewed from the earthen floor and the inner room (ou-e), the design appears as a dignified form of decoration.
In 1575 (Tenshō 3), the villagers of Imai refused Oda Nobunaga’s demand for surrender and rose up in rebellion, fighting against Oda’s forces for over half a year. However, they were granted a letter of pardon (addressed to the Imai Village Council) bearing Nobunaga’s seal, and their autonomy was recognized on the condition that they lay down their arms. For a long time thereafter, the village was governed by Imanishi Yoji-bei of the Imanishi family and Imai Hyobu-bo of Shonen-ji Temple. The system of village elders (Sonen-yori) was established in 1621 (Genna 7), with the Ozaki family newly added; subsequently, in 1639 (Kan’ei 16), the Ueda family was added, In 1634 (Kan’ei 11), they were the first in the country to obtain permission from the shogunate to issue currency. The Imanishi family held the right to mint coins and, together with the Ozaki family, served as the issuing authority. They issued “Imai-satsu” (Imai notes), paper currency of equal value to domain notes, which circulated widely for 74 years and were particularly renowned for their high convertibility.
In 1679 (Enpō 7), the town was incorporated into the shogunate’s direct domain and ceased to be treated as a special autonomous city, instead being treated as a “regular village.” The Imai clan devoted themselves to Buddhism, and a system of three senior councilors was established. As a wealthy market town with 1,200 households and a population of over 4,100, which exercised a high degree of autonomy, the shogunate recognized Imai as a town, just as it did Edo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
Furthermore, the floor plan of this building features a dirt floor occupying approximately half the space, which was used as a courthouse. The boundary between the dirt floor and the raised floor area consists of a single-piece lintel and threshold integrated into a stop groove, with sliding wooden doors installed. This stop groove design is also seen in other partition walls, It employs techniques typically used in castle architecture, featuring upper sills and raised platforms. A structural design was implemented in which S-shaped beams rest on two pillars on the earthen floor side, supporting three thick main beams. This design lends a solemn atmosphere to the court area, and with features such as a smoke chamber and prison cells, the building was designed as a rare structure embodying the administrative and judicial functions (Government office, courthouse, and currency printing office) of a town entrusted with autonomy.
This building conveys the majestic presence of the autonomous town of Imaicho to this day.
Transcending the Framework of “Folk Houses”: Proposing a New Category for Cultural Property Administration
In May 2026, for the first time in the history of cultural property protection in Japan, a recommendation was made to designate two private residences as National Treasures. Now that the long-held stereotype that “private residences cannot become National Treasures” has been shattered, we hereby present to the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Properties Advisory Board the pinnacle of private residential architecture—the very “finishing touch” that completes the picture.
If the two recently designated structures are [residential space ruins] (an uninhabited past) that convey the “roots of daily life” in the medieval period, then the Imanishi Family Residence, a Designated Important Cultural Property, is Japan’s sole [governance space ruin] (an inhabited present) that embodies the “highest form of self-governance and justice” in early modern Japan.
This structure was constructed in 1650 (Keian 3) by Imanishi Masamori, a samurai, as a “court of an autonomous city (jinya).” Following its designation as a tenryo (directly controlled domain) in 1679 (Enpō 7), and due to the requirements of the bakuhan system, its legal status was reclassified as a private residence (in a merchant district). However, its structure is the very embodiment of a “local governance space under feudalism,” integrating advanced administrative, judicial, and financial functions—something absolutely impossible in the dwellings of ordinary farmers or common townspeople.
We are not competing for the title of “the first private residence to be designated.” Now that a “National Treasure of Residential Space” has been designated, only by designating the Imanishi House as a “National Treasure of Governance Space”—which conveys the advanced social systems of the feudal era to the present day—can the gaps in Japan’s architectural and legal history be fully filled.
Core Section: The “Three Essential Functions” Proving It Is a Governance Space
1. A Venue for Justice: A “Judicial Space (Administrative and Judicial Office)” predating modern legal history
As the headquarters of the Chief Elder of the Sō-Nayori—a position granted “judicial authority (police and judicial powers)” by the Oda-Toyotomi and Tokugawa regimes—this residence incorporated advanced judicial functions from the design stage. While modern judicial structures from the Meiji period onward (such as the main gate of the former Kanazawa Prison) are imitations of Western law, this site is the sole existing structure that vividly conveys Japan’s unique legal history prior to the establishment of modern law.
The Courtroom (Oshirazu): In addition to the vast earthen floor occupying approximately half of the site (half of the floor area), the spatial design—featuring raised platforms and ceremonial steps—constitutes a strict “courtroom” in its own right, designed to prevent even the feudal lord from entering casually, to scrutinize the people, and to maintain order in the town.
Preservation of the Smoke Chamber and Prison Cells: The prison cells connected to the west of this building, along with the “smoke chamber” for restraining and interrogating criminals and the deployment of a samurai assembly area, serve as irrefutable evidence of the “authority to execute punishment”—a power that could never exist in a private residence.
2. A Seat of Administration: A “Fortress and Garrison (Castle Turret)” in Accordance with the Military Code
In terms of its exterior and urban planning layout, this residence functioned as the “Western Keep and Watchtower” protecting the moated settlement of Imaicho.
Compliance with the Samurai Code (Kanei Edicts): During construction, the focus was not on building regulations for civilians, but rather on strict adherence to the “Samurai Code” governing warriors. While deliberately simplifying elements such as the nagayamon gate to comply with regulations, essential components—such as the shikidai (entrance hall) and the second-floor zashiki (a formal reception space)—are entirely consistent with a samurai “jin’ya.”
Masugata and Yokoya Design: ** The building was intentionally constructed to protrude into the Honmachi-suji street, forming a “masugata”—a defensive structure unique to castles designed to block the line of sight of external enemies. Furthermore, the “lacquered lattice windows” on the second floor directly incorporate the castle architecture technique of “yokoya,” which involves watching for approaching enemies from outside the town and firing at them from the side.
3. The Financial Arena: The “Imai-zuka Issuer (Central Bank)” That Issued Local Currency
Despite strict controls under the Tokugawa shogunate, Imai-cho circulated its own local paper currency, the “Imai-zuka (silver notes),” with official permission from the shogunate. The Nishi family served as the “issuer,” solely responsible for the issuance, collection, and management of these notes.
The fact that a mere private organization held the “right to issue currency,” with its administrative office located within the family residence, is akin—in modern terms—to **“having the Bank of Japan housed within a private company.”
This demonstrates the astonishing economic autonomy enjoyed under the feudal system and the value of the family as the administrative hub that supported it.
4. History Section: The 13th Head’s Bold Decision and Proof of Popular Sovereignty
The spirit of prioritizing righteousness over profit—this is the “People’s Horyuji”
During the turbulent period of Meiji modernization, the 13th head of the family, Masatake Imaishi, declined the title of “Baron” offered by the new government and vehemently opposed plans to build a railway station (now the JR Yamato Line) that was supposed to bring convenience and wealth.
It is precisely because of this “bold decision”—which rejected personal gain, the prosperity of the family name, and short-term economic prosperity, and instead preserved the historic landscape through the power of the people—that Imai-machi (a Preserved District of Important Groups of Traditional Buildings), which boasts the largest number of cultural properties in the country, has been preserved to this day.
Unlike the uninhabited “time capsules” managed by the shogunate or government, the Imanishi Family Residence is a “Horyuji of private homes” that has maintained its vitality to this day through the resolve of the people and the sense of mission of its descendants. The very act of elevating this residence to the status of a National Treasure through our collective will (signatures) serves as a living, concrete demonstration of the “sovereignty of the people” guaranteed by the Constitution of Japan.
5. Conclusion: Greetings from the Head of the Family and a Request for Signatures The Mission of Successors: Weaving a Future — The Resolve to “Carry Forward the Past and Pave the Way for the Future”
A Light That Has Burned Uninterrupted for 460 Years It has been approximately 460 years since the Imanishi family first settled in this Imai-cho district in the 9th year of the Eiroku era (1566). We have offered lamps to the gods and Buddhas in gratitude, and the light of daily life and prayer has burned continuously, without a single night’s interruption, to this very day.
Through the tumultuous Warring States period, the feudal systems of the Oda-Toyotomi and Tokugawa regimes, the modernization of the Meiji era, and into the present day—amidst the turbulent waves of history, the same bloodline has lived and breathed in this place without missing a single generation, continuously breathing life into these buildings. This “living, active history” itself is the unique spirit of the Imanishi Family Residence.
As one who is conscious of the mission to preserve cultural heritage, I am acutely aware that it is the duty of those living in this land to carry on the will of our ancestors and the forebears of Imaicho. This means passing down to future generations not only the buildings, crafts, and artworks, but also the traditional techniques and their historical context.
Our goal of having the residence designated as a National Treasure is not merely to boast about the status of our family’s buildings. Our goal is to convey the charm of Imaicho to as many people as possible, so that they may find hope in a “spiritual pillar” amidst the sense of stagnation pervading modern society, and to contribute to a shared sense of community. Furthermore, it is a solemn vow to ensure that the “traditional techniques” and the “spirit of an autonomous city’s administrative headquarters”—which our forebears risked their lives to preserve—are faithfully passed down to future generations.
Inheriting the past and opening the future—guided by the spirit of “Shōzen Keigo” (honoring the past and paving the way for the future), we intend to continue cooperating in projects to improve the landscape and preserve the townscape.
If the uninhabited “residential ruins (the past)” housed in museum display cases convey the roots of our way of life, then the Imanishi Family Residence, which has kept its lights burning for 460 years, is a fitting candidate to be the first “living National Treasure of Legal History,” conveying the spirit of Japanese civic autonomy to the present day.
Let us, with our own hands, elevate this immovable Japanese treasure to the highest level of national recognition.
We ask for your signatures and words of support!
We sincerely ask for your support.
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation: Society for the Preservation of the TOCHI AGATANUSHI Imanishi Family
Representative Director: Keiji Imanishi
Declaration of a Shift in Objectives
Notification of Change of Purpose
“Government Buildings in Autonomous Cities Under the Feudal System”
—New Grounds for Designation as a National Treasure—
Imanishi Family Preservation Society (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation)
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation: Society for the Preservation of the Imanishi Family
May 2026
I. Declaration of a Shift in Objectives
On May 22, 2026, the Cultural Affairs Council of the Agency for Cultural Affairs recommended designating the main house of the Hakogi Residence (14th century) and the former Furui Residence (15th century) in Hyogo Prefecture as “the first National Treasures in the category of private residences.”
This marks a historic step forward, as it begins to fill the institutional gap regarding “National Treasure designations for private residences”—an issue we have advocated for over many years.
However, we will not stop here.
Both properties designated this time were evaluated from the perspective of private residences as living spaces. Both are currently uninhabited and were designated purely as architectural historical sites.
The value embodied by the Imanishi Family Residence lies on an essentially different level.
The Imanishi Family Residence is not merely a “private residence.” To be precise—
“The world’s only governing structure designed and functioning as the supreme governing body of a rural town that fought alongside Ikkō-shū followers against Oda Nobunaga for over six months, won autonomous rights ‘equivalent to those of Osaka’ through military force, and has continued to exist for over 370 years to this day.”
That is what it is.
Here, we are shifting our goal as follows.
[Previous Goal]
First National Treasure designation in the folk house category
【New Goal】
National Treasure designation under a unique category:
“Governance Structure of an Ikkō-shū Autonomous City (Zai-gō-machi)”
II. Definition of the New Category and the Uniqueness of the Imanishi Residence
Types of Cultural Heritage Buildings in Japan and Existing Gaps
Temple Architecture (Hōryū-ji, Tōdai-ji) → National Treasures exist
Shinto Shrine Architecture (Uji-kami Shrine) → National Treasures exist
Castle Architecture (Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle) → National Treasures exist
Samurai Residences and Jinya (Takayama Jinya) → No National Treasures (only Important Cultural Properties)
Folk Houses and Living Spaces (Hakogi House, Former Furuoi House) → First designation in 2026
Governance Structures of Ikkō-shū Autonomous Cities (Imanishi Family Residence) → None exist; the world’s only one
The term “governance structures” refers to buildings that are neither mere residential facilities nor purely administrative facilities, but rather structures that embody the governance functions of an armed autonomous community of Ikko-shu followers who fought against the supreme authority of the time, won their autonomy through force, and manifested that governance in architecture.
This term fully aligns with the vocabulary of “structures” officially used in the Cultural Properties Protection Law and is the most appropriate category name in terms of compatibility with the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ review criteria.
Internationally, it is translated as “Architecture of Autonomous Governance of the Ikko-shu Community,” a term that functions clearly in communications with UNESCO and ICOMOS.
This category has no precedent in the classification of cultural heritage, both domestically and internationally, and the Imanishi Family Residence is the world’s sole surviving example of this type.
The History of Acquiring Autonomy—The Basis for “Governance Architecture”
During the Tenmon era (1532–1555), Imai Hyōbu of the Hongan-ji built Shōnen-ji Temple, establishing Imai-machi as a temple town of the Ikko sect. By constructing moats and fortifications, it maintained its independence as an armed autonomous city.
In 1575 (Tenshō 3), the villagers of Imai, having rejected Oda Nobunaga’s demand for surrender, rose up as followers of the Ikkō-shū and engaged in combat for over half a year against Oda forces led by Tsutsui Junkei, who served under Sakuma Nobumori and Akechi Mitsuhide.
Thanks to the valiant efforts of the Imai villagers, who were equipped with musket units, Nobunaga finally recognized Imai’s autonomy and issued a sealed document officially granting them the right to self-governance, stating, “In all matters, it shall be the same as Osaka” (万事大坂同前).
It is said that Nobunaga, upon looking at the Imanishi residence, called it “Yatsumune” and left his headquarters; this is said to be the origin of the name “Hachidō-zukuri” (Eight-Building Style).
It is precisely this autonomy “equivalent to that of Osaka” that serves as the basis for the incorporation of the three functions—judicial, administrative, and detention—into the Imanishi Residence. The Imanishi Residence is an architectural declaration of the autonomy they fought and won.
Request for the Designation of the “Imanishi Family Residence” as a National Treasure
[Purpose of the Request]
The “Imanishi Family Residence,” an Important Cultural Property (designated on June 18, 1957) located in Imai-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture—within the Important Traditional Building Group Preservation District—was constructed on March 22, 1650 (Keian 3). Its construction date is clearly established by inscriptions on the ridge plaque and the demon-faced roof tiles at the ridge ends (demon-faced tile inscriptions), and the ridge plaque has been designated as an attached cultural property.
This building is situated at the western edge of the former moated settlement and features a layout reminiscent of a castle, designed to intimidate and defend against external enemies as the “Western Stronghold.” It intentionally protrudes toward Honmachi-suji on the north side to form a masugata (square bastion), and the north and east sides of the second-floor living quarters are equipped with latticed windows with painted frames, allowing for surveillance of activities both inside and outside the town.
The gable ends of this building feature multiple roof ridges, characteristic of a structure with numerous overlapping gables. This technique is similar to the method used on castle keep towers to enhance their grandeur by adding chidori-bafu (stepped gables) or karabafu (Chinese-style gables). The exterior is finished with white plaster, concealing the columns and extending the plaster all the way to the eaves, employing the “Ōkabe” construction method—an architectural style reminiscent of a castle. Both the main roof and the eaves are covered with traditional Japanese roof tiles. The exterior walls are finished with white plaster, and the front features thick latticework; the latticework on the second-floor windows is painted over, just like the eaves. The beams are crafted using a method called “guramuki,” which involves creating numerous narrow surfaces while preserving the original log shape as much as possible. A grand roof truss is constructed by erecting rafters atop thick beams arranged in a well-frame pattern and connecting them with tie beams. The smoke vent, positioned at a right angle to the ridge, makes this a unique and special folk house in Japan that retains the characteristics of Sengoku-period castle architecture. Furthermore, the pillars and beams of the Imanishi House are supported by centuries-old Japanese hemlock (tsuga) trees that once grew in the Yamato and Yoshino regions. Originally, this timber was not used in ordinary folk houses but was reserved for castle architecture. Today, virgin forests of Japanese hemlock of such quality and scale have vanished from Japan, and it is said that recreating a structure of this kind is impossible. The carefully selected timber used in the Imanishi Residence has endowed the house with both dignity and strength, making it a veritable “wooden museum” that has withstood the weight of nearly four centuries.
Furthermore, it is designed as a structure with administrative and judicial functions (akin to a jinya), featuring the oldest surviving example of the “chōdai-gatae” layout in a private residence in Japan. The earthen floor occupies half of the floor plan, and the design incorporates an upper-level platform and a ceremonial platform to create a ceremonial courtyard, as well as a smoke-filled detention cell and a prison cell. It stands as a testament to the grandeur of the autonomous town of Imaicho, and is an extremely rare architectural remnant often referred to as the “Horyuji of private residences.”
Following a postwar survey of townhouses conducted by the Department of Architecture at the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering, the Imanishi Residence, along with its building plaque, was recommended for designation as a National Important Cultural Property and was officially designated on June 18, 1957 (Showa 32). This designation served as a catalyst for the serious recognition of folk architecture as cultural property and marked the beginning of the “townscape preservation movement” in Japan.
The townscape preservation movement, which began in Imaicho—a district boasting Japan’s largest number of traditional buildings at approximately 500—served as a major catalyst for the subsequent establishment of the “Traditional Building Group Preservation District (Denken)” system. Now that evaluation criteria have matured through advances in housing culture research, I believe it is essential to engage in discussions that complement the field of “private residences.”
Historically, National Treasures (temples, shrines, and castles) have symbolized authority. However, might it not be the realm of “private residences”—which the National Treasure system has yet to encompass—that constitutes the bedrock of Japanese culture? Private residences are a type of architecture that embodies the most widespread historical experiences of the people, and their public significance could be said to be even greater than that of temple and shrine architecture.
The current absence of any National Treasures in the category of “private residences” constitutes an institutional void, demonstrating that there are still areas not yet encompassed by the National Treasure system.
Designating the Imanishi House as a National Treasure is not merely an act of celebrating the past. It is an act of asking ourselves what the Japanese people have believed to be beautiful, what kind of daily lives they have led, and how they have preserved those lives.
As a wake-up call regarding our vanishing traditional landscape, designating the Imanishi House—often referred to as the “Horyu-ji of Folk Houses”—as a National Treasure would serve as a clear expression of the will of the people.
Therefore, we strongly urge that the Imanishi House be properly reevaluated and reliably passed down to future generations as the “first National Treasure designated in the folk house category” in our country.
Imaicho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, is “Japan’s premier district for the preservation of important traditional building groups,” boasting the nation’s largest number of traditional structures. Regarding the “Imanishi Family Residence” (designated in 1957), an Important Cultural Property that forms the core of this district, we strongly request that it be designated as Japan’s first “National Treasure in the private residence category” based on the overwhelming exceptionality demonstrated by the following academic data.
1. Rarity as a “chronologically verified structure” that has withstood 370 years Built in 1650 (Keian 3). As one of the oldest surviving early modern private residences, the fact that its construction date is definitively established through roof plaque and demon-tile inscriptions gives it absolute value as a “benchmark” in the history of early modern architecture.
1. The Remarkable Preservation Rate of Original Timber According to the 1962 Report on the Dismantling and Repair Work of the Imanishi House (Important Cultural Property) (Nara Prefecture Cultural Properties Preservation Office), the preservation rate of original timber in the main structural components is extremely high. Unless future structural issues arise, this timber will continue to be reused, meaning that wood over 370 years old is still actively supporting the building today.
This high level of “authenticity” fully satisfies the qualitative criteria required for designation as a National Treasure. While other homes have been “modified” over time to accommodate changing lifestyles—such as altering door frames and floor plans—the Imanishi Residence, having served as a public facility, has retained its original appearance from the time of its construction with astonishing fidelity. Its state of preservation, which seems to encapsulate mid-17th-century architectural techniques in their entirety, makes it a veritable “textbook of architecture.”
1. Design as “Political Architecture” Symbolizing Authority as an Administrative and Judicial Hub The complex and imposing roof structure, known as the “Hachidō-zukuri,” signifies that this space is not merely a residence but a private home that also serves as a “jinya” (administrative and judicial hub). As a physical embodiment of an autonomous city, it is a unique and irreplaceable historical structure. Furthermore, the interior features Japan’s oldest “chōdai-zukuri” (accounting desk layout), as well as the remains of the “Oshirazu” (judicial platform) and “Rōya” (prison), which administered administrative and judicial affairs. These elements constitute a unique cultural heritage that embodies the history of this exceptional town, which was granted autonomy despite being part of the Edo Shogunate’s feudal system.
I. Continuity of Preservation and a History of Faithful Restoration The fact that the most advanced preservation techniques of the time were employed during the fundamental repairs in 1962 (Showa 37) guarantees the “continuity of preservation” through which this building has been faithfully safeguarded as a national treasure over a long period, demonstrating that it is a model cultural asset that should be passed down to future generations.
Designating the Imanishi Residence—the origin of the postwar “townscape preservation movement”—as a National Treasure will lead to a proper reevaluation of Japan’s “housing culture” and demonstrate our pride as a nation of culture both domestically and internationally. II. Operational Stability: A Permanent Preservation System Managed by a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
In the context of National Treasure designation, ownership by a public interest incorporated foundation—rather than by an individual—entails legal obligations for information disclosure and transparency, thereby ensuring reliable transmission to future generations.
[Requests]
1. Re-evaluation and comprehensive survey by the Agency for Cultural Affairs toward National Treasure designation
2. Establishment of the “Committee for Promoting the Designation of the Imanishi Family Residence as a National Treasure” and the creation of a public-private partnership for preservation and transmission
Petition
[Year] [Month] [Day]
To: The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Association for The Imanishi of Tochiagatanushi clan Preservation
PPublic Interest Incorporated Foundation, Association for The Imanishi of Tochiagatanushi clan Preservationublic Interest Incorporated Foundation, Association for The Representative Director: Keiji Imanishi
Request for Designation of the Imanishi Family Residence (Important Cultural Property) as a “National Treasure”
Dear Sir,
We hope this letter finds you in good health. We would like to express our sincere respect for your continued and tremendous efforts toward the protection and preservation of our nation’s cultural heritage.
We hereby strongly request, based on legal expertise and architectural-historical value, that the Imanishi Family Residence (designated as an Important Cultural Property on June 18, 1957), located in Imai-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, be designated as the “first National Treasure in the private residence category” in Japan.
1. Verifiability of the Construction Date and Academic Authenticity
It has been clearly established as a historical fact that this residence was constructed on March 22, 1650 (Keian 3), as evidenced by the extant ridge plaque and the inscription on the demon-faced roof tile. This ridge plaque has been designated as an attached Important Cultural Property, serving as historical evidence inseparable from the building itself, and its authenticity is beyond doubt from both academic and legal perspectives.
2. Rarity as an “Administrative and Judicial Hub” Reflecting the Prestige of an Autonomous City
This historic site is not merely a residential facility; it possesses extremely high public and historical value in the following respects:
・Pioneering architectural form: It preserves the “chōdai-gatae” structure—the oldest of its kind in Japan for a private residence—in its complete form.
・Design reflecting judicial functions: In addition to the vast earthen-floored area occupying approximately half of the site, it features an “oshirazu” (judicial platform) with raised steps and a ceremonial platform, as well as a smoke chamber and prison cells. While numerous remnants of modern judicial systems dating from the Meiji period onward remain throughout the country—including the former main gate of the Kanazawa Prison and the Sapporo City Archives (the former Sapporo Court of Appeals building)—this particular site is of exceptional rarity. This is because it serves as a tangible, physical structure that vividly conveys the history of Japan’s legal system prior to the establishment of modern law, rather than relying solely on textual accounts.
・Symbol of Self-Governance: These features clearly demonstrate that this residence was designed and functioned as an “administrative and judicial center (jinya)” in Imai-machi. It is a unique structure that embodies the spirit of a self-governing city from the medieval to the early modern periods and should be referred to as the “Horyuji of folk architecture.”
3. Affirmation of “Daily Life” and the Expansion of the Concept of National Treasures
As architectural historian Dr. Teiji Ito has argued, this residence represents “the origin of design born from the collective wisdom of the people.” Whereas previous National Treasure designations (temples, shrines, castles, etc.) have symbolized “extraordinary authority,” the Imanishi House is the pinnacle of architecture that affirms the “daily life” woven by our ancestors and the rare history of “self-governance” permitted under feudalism.
In the face of Japan’s rapidly disappearing traditional landscapes, designating the Imanishi House—the pinnacle of folk architecture—as a National Treasure would serve as a firm expression of the state’s resolve to “preserve Japan’s residential culture.”
In Conclusion
As outlined above, the Imanishi House possesses legitimate grounds for designation as a National Treasure based on its historical context, architectural design, and public significance as a judicial hub. We humbly submit this petition, earnestly requesting your special consideration to ensure that this residence receives the recognition it deserves and is passed on to future generations as the “first National Treasure in the folk house category” under Japan’s cultural property protection system.
Sincerely,
The time has come to honor this “structure that embodies the spirit of self-governance, which has stood firm despite its scars.”
Designating the Imanishi Family Residence as a National Treasure is not merely about preserving the way the timber is joined.
It is about enshrining in history, as an eternal treasure, the “deep bond between people and architecture” that this house has demonstrated, and the “Japanese spirit of steadfast preservation no matter what.”
The pride of Japan, upheld by the forebears of Imaicho who joined forces without compensation to support it with two logs.
Now is the time to pass on to the future, along with a fitting recognition, the four-hundred-year-old pulse that slumbers within that profound silence.
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