Monograph No. 29
NARAI — POST TOWN — A STUDY OF TOWN AND TOWNSCAPE IN 1974-1975
ENGLISH SUMMARY
CONTENTS
Page
Chapter I Our research work 1
1. Introduction to our research work 1
movement to this study - case studies of historic quarters - our study career
2. Progress of our research work 6
purpose - diary - data and results - addition
Chapter II Past and present of the study area 12
1. Outline of Kiso 12
nature and topography - history
2. Narai in history 21
before 17th century - Narai as a post town – occupation - fires and famines - since the Meiji period
3. Present scene of old post towns along Kisoji 36
from Magome to Motoyama - Narai today
Chapter III Town, townscape and houses 43
1. Analysis of townscape 43
a post town in the Edo period - various townscape in the study area - townscape of Narai shuku - environments around the study area - survey of houses and buildings - elements affecting townscape
2. Facade design and townscape 56
typical style of facade - present design of facade - study of the old type - changing townscape after the Edo period - conclusion
3. Details of houses 65
details of facade - interior
4. Houses of the town 71
plan and structure - some examples
5. Religious architectures and annual festival 81
shrines and temples - annual festival of the town
Chapter IV Historical study of Narai 91
1. Study of the old town in restoration 91
Shukuezu (old drawings of post town) - the town in the latter half of 17th century - the town in 19th century - the town in 18th century
2. Old houses in manuscripts 102
Honjin (an officially appointed inn for Daimyo) - house and site plan- planning pattern - old naming of building elements - character of the houses in late the Edo period
Chapter V Inhabitants and visitors 117
1. Opinions for conservation 117
visitors’ impressions of Narai – inhabitants’ opinions
2. The situation of sightseeing 121
Chapter VI Narai, its conservation and future 123
1. Results of our study 123
2. Conservation and developement of the town 127
movements of conservation - some propositions for conservation - concerning law
3. Efforts for conservation at Narai 137
NARAI - post town -
PREFACE
Narai is located at Narakawa village, Kiso district, Nagano prefecture. During the Edo period, it was a post town on Nakasendo; one of main highways in Japan. It has a historic townscape, so that it is easy to imagine a post town of those days.
This is a report on our study of the historic town Narai, one of ten historic towns which were comitted to study by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1974. The purpose of these studies is that each local government can obtain results to execute a policy of conservation of their own town. This study of Narai was taken in hand by members of our Institute, with the cooperation of the village.
Contents of our research is given as follows:
1) Drawing up a map of the town at the scale of 1/1000 and a survey chart of houses on it.
2) Photogrammetry of the elevation of houses at the center of the town.
3) Survey of houses: age, usage, facade, structure, and stories.
4) Measuring of houses: plan, structure, and furniture.
5) Sampling elements of facade design, and researching old type of facade in restoration.
6) Historical study of old drawings of the town and manuscripts.
7) Photographing townscapes and houses, etc..
8) Hearing elders’ memories and discussion with inhabitants for conservation.
9) Questionare for visitors.
KlSO AND NARAI IN HISTORY
In the Shokunihongi, one of the oldest annals of Japan, we find the word Kiso used for the first time in the year 702. We do not know for certain the ancient route of “Kisoji”. During the middle ages, the Kiso Families controlled this country. At first in Edo period Kiso country was directly controlled by the Shogun because of its rich timbers especially “hinoki.” Then it became Owari-tokugawa Families' domain from 1616 to early Meiji period. Including Narai, there were eleven post towns in Kiso. They were established by Shogunate in early Edo period and prospered with increasing traffic at that time. Daimyos’ processions, tourists to famous shrines and temples or pilgrims to mountains of religious significance often passed through. Moreover, Narai had its own industry or handicrafts: lacquer ware, lacquer combs, and round chip boxes; which still continue to be produced. The importance of the post town of Narai began to decline when the official institution of post towns was abolished. In the middle of the Meiji period the station of JNR was located on the outskirts of the old town, and a new highway was opened to traffic far from it. The town was left behind changing modern life. Because of this, the townscape and pattern of life in Narai underwent no major changes until the 1950s.
SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF TOWN, TOWNSCAPE AND HOUSES
Along the Nakasendo, in the town of Narai, many wooden houses stand shoulder to shoulder on both sides. The length of the town street is about 1000m. The shape of the town is like a line. The basic pattern of the street has not changed since the Edo period except for adding some paths. Five temples and four shrines stand separate on the west side of the street. Five wells, called “mizuba,” beside the street are still utilized by inhabitants and tourists. These elements make the town memorable of old times. Besides we can see beautiful nature at any place in this town.
Houses are mostly wooden and 60% of them were built in 19th century, and 20% in the first half of 20th century. The traditional style of house is characterized by its gable roof, facing the street, stone weighted wooden roofing, and low second storey from the floor of which a wooden beam (or abutment) called “debari” (cantilever) project. The second storey had gradually increased in height especially since 20th century. As eaves of house make a successive line, we can find regularity in the townscape which is rather rich in variety according to change of width, turn or corner, and slope, etc., of the street.
In addition to “debari”, other characteristics of houses are decorative eaves with moulded frame named “sarugashira” and thick beams between pillars at either end.
Researching old style of façade at ground floor, most of houses had “odo” (large wooden doors) at the entrance and, at window, three wooden shutters called “shitomi”, the lower tow of which were movable and the upper most one was hinged. Now they have turned to glass sliding doors and windows, some with “koshi” (lattice) in front of them. About second storey, 70% of them are just open or only with hand rail and other are with “koshi”. The facade of the second storey and in some houses the old style remains. Narai suffered many fires till 1837. So basically, style of the houses is of about that time. And the townscape is also like that of the post town in last years of Edo period.
NARAI, CONSERVATION AND FUTURE
Walking down the old road toward Narai from Torii-toge, we see the river Narai flowing behind houses and mountaines on both sides of it. The town lies along the river. Narai is a quie, town with 388 houses an 143 people. Traditional handicrafts, fine nature and old townscape make Narai attractive or tourists.
In 1969 it was found out that a house was to be moved from Narai to another place. Since this house was conserved at its original place in Narai, the inhabitants then gradually awoke to the historical importance of their town and began to take measures to conserve it. After that, the study of the town by many scholars took place in turn and it made the inhabitants more determined to preserve the townscape in its original form. In order to conserve the old style and not to restrict the daily lives of present inhabitants, it is hoped that professionals will provide guidance and help. The Law for Protection of Cultural Property was amended in 1975 and it became possible possible to conserve the town by the local government under the help of national funds.
昭和51年3月31日発行
木曽奈良井 －町並調査報告－
奈良国立文化財研究所学報第二十九冊
