A historic and heritage-listed home in Kagoshima City will be demolished by the end of this year after a six-year attempt to save it.
The home is located in the Kanmachi district which was once filled with large homes of upper-ranking samurai. It was also the birthplace of Tensho-in, the wife of the 13th shogun, Tokugawa Iesada.
It was built in 1939 for Kisuke Fujitake, a kimono fabric dealer, at a cost of around 300 million Yen in today’s terms. Designed and built by a shrine carpenter from Kyoto, only the finest materials were used in its construction. It was designated as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2014.
Kagoshima City was largely destroyed in a WWII air raid, and very few traditional wooden homes survived the devastating fires. After WWII, the home was used for wedding ceremonies and events.
The home was acquired by the Kagoshima Prefecture Education Center Preservation Foundation in 1960 and operated initially as a staff dormitory. The decision to demolish was made due to the aging structure and high cost of maintenance. Attempts were made to relocate the home but a suitable location could not be found. After demolition, a new education center will be built in its place. The foundation had spent six years considering all options.
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Source: KTS, August 5, 2022.
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