Birthplace of Hanjiro Sakamoto

Address
224-1, Kyomachi, Kurume
Inquiries
Birthplace of Hanjiro Sakamoto
TEL:0942-35-8260
FAX:0942-35-8260
Official HP
Area
JR/Nishitetsu Kurume Area (Central Area)
Genre
Flowers and trees  /  Shrines and temples  /  Cultural treasures and historic sites
Fees
Adult: 210 yen
Child: 100 yen
Hours of Operation
AM 10 - PM 5
Closed
Monday
12/28 - 1/3
Parking
Yes
Access
Five minutes walk from JR Kurume Station.
坂本繁二郎生家外観

This building is where western-style painter Hanjiro Sakamoto was born and raised, spending his youth here before leaving for Tokyo at the age of twenty.

The Sakamoto family were a long line of bushi (samurai warriors) who served the Kurume Domain for generations, owning land spanning 1500m².

The wooden building is two stories high, with a combination of thatch and tile roofing. It is the only remaining samurai residence in Kurume city, so it has been designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the city.

A preservation and maintenance project began in 2006, when the house was recreated in the style it was in during Hanjiro’s twenties, and the property has been open to the public since May 2010. At the house, you can also see a reproduction of fusuma (sliding paper doors). The paintings on them are said to have been done by Shigeru Aoki, who was a friend of Hanjiro’s.

In addition, rooms in the house can also be used privately for a variety of functions, like rakugo, music or mochi-making events, for example. You can also hold tea ceremonies and photo shoots here.

A Tangible Cultural Property of Japan (building) designated by the city on July 28 2003

 

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