The Town Where Samurai Descendants Live in Samurai Houses

Buke-Yashiki Street

(Kakunodate City, Akita Prefecture)

【Buke-Yashiki (武家屋敷)】 refers to the residences of samurai families that were built during the feudal era. ‘Buke’ denotes a samurai family, while ‘Yashiki’ means a residence. These houses were typically enclosed by walls and featured a grand gate, unlike the houses of the townspeople. Over time, most Buke-Yashiki disappeared as they were replaced by modern structures that reflected the evolving architectural styles of the times. Today, Buke-Yashiki can only be found in a few local small towns.

The Kakunodate area in Akita Prefecture is renowned for its well-preserved samurai residences from the feudal era. This region has remained untouched by warfare and modernization for centuries, which is why it has been preserved so well. Descendants of the samurai families continue to live in these residences to this day.

The dark wooden walls line the streets of the Buke-Yashiki area in Kakunodate. Tree branches spill over these walls, covering and adorning the street from both sides. This juxtaposition creates a beautiful color contrast: the deep brown of the walls against the ever-changing hues of the branches throughout the seasons. In spring, pale pink cherry blossoms bloom; summer brings lush green leaves; autumn displays vibrant yellows and reds in the falling leaves; and winter blankets everything in pristine white snow. The overall scenery evokes a sense of serenity, stateliness, and the disciplined spirit of the samurai.

The town was meticulously planned and designed 400 years ago during Japan’s unification under feudal rule. Given the context of the samurai era, military considerations were reflected in town’s planning. The town is strategically positioned, facing rivers and hills that naturally form a stronghold. Its streets are laid out at right angles, serving as a defense mechanism: incoming enemies cannot see far ahead, which slows their march, while defenders can lie in wait and ambush them as they turn corners.

Disaster prevention measures were also incorporated into the town’s design. The town is divided into two distinct areas by a wide, straight buffer zone to protect against fire. The upper area contains the samurai residences, while the lower area is the home of the townspeople .

A castle is situated to the north of the town. Closer to the castle, the higher the social status of the samurai. The residences of the upper-class samurai were notably larger than those of the lower-class. These houses typically featured two doors: one for everyday use and another reserved for welcoming higher-ranking guests. Additionally, the houses had a warehouse with a roof integrated into the main structure to withstand the snowy climate.

Among the highlights of the samurai residences were the family’s collections, ranging from historical suits of armor to contemporary music records. A notable piece is the ‘New Textbook of Anatomy,’ published in 1774. This work, translated from a Dutch textbook, featured precise and accurate depictions of the human body, which significantly influenced the medical society in Japan. The illustrations showcased a Western style of art, with three-dimensional renderings, in contrast to the traditional two-dimensional representations found in Japanese art. The artist of these drawings was a samurai born in this town, Kakunodate.

(map: Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, official website)