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A City of Tabi Storehouses Supporting the Kimono Culture from the Feet

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Cultural properties that tell Gyoda City's story

Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds


Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds

【Historic Site Designated by the National Government】
Oshi Castle site


Oshi Castle site

【Historic Site Designated by the National Government】
Ishida-zutsumi Levee


Ishida-zutsumi Levee

【Historic Site Designated by the National Government】
Takahashi’s Stone Tablet with Basho Haiku


Takahashi’s Stone Tablet with Basho Haiku

【Historic Site Designated by the National Government】
Gyoda Town Map from The Kyoho Era


Gyoda Town Map from The Kyoho Era in Edo period(1716－1736)

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】
Ancient Documents of Akiyama's


Ancient Documents of Akiyam's

【Private collection; Deposited with and stored by Gyoda City Provincial Museum】
Gyoda Town Map from The Tenpoo Era


Gyoda Town Map from The Tenpoo Era in the Edo period (1830-1844)

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】
The Bill of Land Tax that Musashi Country Sakamaki Village Pay in 1612


The Bill of Land Tax that Musashi Country Sakamaki Village Pay in 1612

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】
Osawa Kyuemon's Residence and Warehouse


Osawa Kyuemon's Residence and Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Imazu Printing


Imazu Printing

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】
【*Viewed from the outside only】
Mori's Warehouse and Koaann Warehouse


Mori's Warehouse and Koaann Warehouse

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】
【*Viewed from the outside only】
Jumangoku Fukusaya's Main Gyoda Branch


Jumangoku Fukusaya's Main Gyoda Branch

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only
Makino Store・Museum of Tabi and Daily Lives


Makino Store・Museum of Tabi and Daily Lives

【*Tabi and Living Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays】
Tokitagura Warehouse


Tokitagura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Hozumigura Warehouse


Hozumigura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Museum of Tabigura and Community Development


Museum of Tabigura and Community Development

【※Open every day (10:00～16:00)】
Café Kankyo,Tabi Warehouse Gallery“ KADO”


Café Kankyo,Tabi Warehouse Gallery“ KADO”,Artisanal Bakery KURA and Kuchiki Architecture Design Office

【*Other than by those using the store or when events are held, it is viewed from the outside only】
Kusaogura Warehouse


Kusaogura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Isami Corporation School Uniform Factory


Isami Corporation School Uniform Factory

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Tashirogura Warehouse


Tashirogura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Formerly Oshimachi Credit Association Bank


Formerly Oshimachi Credit AssociationBank

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】
Osawagura Warehouse


Osawagura Warehouse

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
【*Viewed from the outside only】
Formerly Ogawa Chujiro Store


Formerly Ogawa Chujiro Store（Chujirogura Warehouse）

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
【*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】
Okunukigura Warehous


Okunukigura Warehous

【*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】
Gyoda-GamKiln


Gyoda-Gama Kiln

【*Viewed from the outside only】
The Kujirai's Warehouse


The Kujirai's Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Isami Corporation tabi factory


Isami Corporation tabi factory

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Tokita Tabigura Warehouse


Tokita Tabigura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Musashino Bank’s Gyoda Branch


Musashino Bank’s Gyoda Branch

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
【* Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】
Formerly Arai Hachiro's office


Formerly Arai Hachiro's office and Other Western-Style Buildings

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
【* Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】
Indigo Dyeing Experience Studio "Makiteisha"


Indigo Dyeing Experience Studio "Makiteisha"

【*Indigo dye workshop is open on Sundays only】
Koushigura Warehouse


Koushigura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Kurihara Mortar Warehouse


Kurihara Mortar Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Konumagura Warehouse


Konumagura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Okunuki Warehous


Okunuki Warehous

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Kasahara Residence


Kasahara Residence

【*Viewed from the outside only】
Gakuya Tabigura Warehouse


Gakuya Tabigura Warehouse

【*Viewed from the outside only】
A Tabi Production Tool and Product of Gyoda


A Tabi Production Tool and Product of Gyoda

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】
【Tangible Folk Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】
Gyoda tabi socks


Gyoda tabi socks


Hatsuuma Festival


Hatsuuma Festival

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】
Fries


Fries


Jelly Fries


Jelly Fries


Narazuke of Gyoda pickles


Narazuke(a kind of pickled vegetable such as gourds seasoned in sake dregs) of Gyoda pickles


Gyoda Ondo(A folk Song of Gyoda for a Dance)


行田音頭


Outline of Japan Heritage

Japan Heritage is a new program for cultural properties established by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2015. The program designates interesting regional histories and features that have been passed down through the narratives of Japan’s culture and traditions as “Japan Heritage.” It supports initiatives to cohesively use various attractive tangible and intangible cultural properties that constitute essential elements in the narrative. Japan Heritage has two categories: “The Collective Category” for which a narrative pertains to several cities or villages, and “The Local Category” for which a narrative pertains to one city or a village, as in the case of Gyoda City.

Japan Heritage identifies cultural properties scattered around a region and packages them in a story, expects the regional community to take the initiative to cohesively and comprehensively organize and use these cultural properties, and strategically publicize them to the world, thereby aiming to revitalize the region.

See here for details
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Protection of Cultural Properties Division, Gyoda City Board of Education

Protection of Cultural Properties Division, Gyoda City Board of Education　TEL. : +81 (0)48-556-1111

Gyoda City Commerce and Tourism Division　TEL. : +81 (0)48-556-1111

Historic site

Sakitama Ancient Burial Mounds

This largest cluster of ancient burial mounds in eastern Japan mainly comprises nine large tombs including the Inariyama burial mound where a national treasure, the Inariyama sword, was excavated. During the age of the civil wars in Japan when Ishida Mitsunari headed Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaign to seize Oshi Castle by flooding it, Hideyoshi’s camp used the Maruhakayama burial mound, one of Japan’s largest round burial mounds, as its headquarters.

【Location】56 Sakitama, other

【Historic Site Designated by the National Government】

Historic site

Oshi Castle site

The town of Gyoda prospered around the castle, which was built in the late 15th century by the Narita family. It was skillfully designed using marshes and rivers. It withstood Ishida Mitsunari’s attack which aimed to flood the castle and became known as the “floating castle” or the “water castle.” The novel and movie “The Floating Castle” is set in Oshi Castle.

【Location】17-23 Honmaru, other

【Historic Places Designated by the Prefecture】

Historic site

Ishida-zutsumi Levee

The embankment was built on top of a natural levee by Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army led by Ishida Mitsunari in a campaign to flood Oshi Castle. It is assumed to have been around 14 km long, but most of it has since been lost. Today, the 282 meters remaining in the Tsutsumine district is preserved as a designated cultural property.

【Location】1270 Tsutsumine, Gyoda City

【Historic Site Designated by the Prefecture】

Historic site

Takahashi’s Stone Tablet with Basho Haiku

A stone monument standing in a private garden is inscribed with Basho’s haiku: “As if flowers have fallen from the harvest moon, the cotton field.” The haiku indicates that the cotton fabric used to make tabi was already being produced around 1876 when the monument was erected.
*Please inquire prior to visiting the monument.

【Location】795 No

【Historic Site Designated by the City】

Old document

Gyoda Town Map from The Kyoho Era (1716－1736)

The map of Gyoda Town during the Kyoho era (1716 – 1735) is part of a collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum. Three tabi shops appear on this map, which indicates that tabi making had already begun in Gyoda during this period.

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】

Old document

Ancient Documents of Akiyama Family

The archives were handed down in the Akiyama family, which managed Takasagoya, one of the oldest tabi shops in Gyoda City and believed to have been founded in 1732. This is valuable material for learning about tabi production and management in the late Edo period. The photo shows a map of the Akiyama family’s estate, which enjoyed good fortune.

【Private collection; Deposited with and stored by Gyoda City Provincial Museum】

Old document

Gyoda Town Map from The Tenpoo Era (1830-1844)

This is a map of Gyoda Town during the Tenpo era (1830 – 1844).
There are 27 tabi shops on this map, which shows that the leading industry in Gyoda town was tabi production. The number of shops peaked at the time.

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】

Old document

The Bill of Land Tax that Musashi Country Sakamaki Village Pay in 1612

This is the land tax payment notice for Sakamaki Village in 1612. Cotton is listed as the tax for farmland, indicating that cotton was already being grown in the Gyoda area in the early Edo period.

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】

Building

Osawa Kyuemon Residence and Warehouse

During the Edo period, Osawa was a wholesaler of cotton fabric dyed with indigo and was the wealthiest merchant in Gyoda. This house and clay storehouse are said to have been built in the late Edo period.
The clay storehouse is the oldest existing tabi storehouse. They say these two buildings and other structures prevented the great fire of 1846 from spreading.

【Location】5-33 Gyoda

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Imazu Printing

The shop with a storehouse and the main house of this well-established printer engaged in printing labels (paper) for tabi are said to have been built in the late Edo period, while the clay storehouse is believed to have been built in the Meiji period.
Tokunosuke Imazu, the proprietor during the Meiji and Taisho periods, contributed greatly to the development of the tabi industry as chairman of the Oshi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

【Location】12‐22 Gyoda

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Mori Warehouse and Koaann Warehouse

The two tabi storehouses made from clay were built in 1850 and 1912. The former was converted from an existing clay storehouse into a tabi storehouse, and is currently used as a private folk craft museum called “Koaan.”

【Location】21‐12 Gyoda

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Jumangoku Fukusaya's Main Gyoda Branch

Originally built in 1883 as a large and luxurious shop with a storehouse for the former Yamada Kimono Shop, it was later converted into a tabi storehouse and is currently a famous Japanese sweets shop that is representative of Saitama. The “Namako wall (square tiles with raised plaster),” which is not seen in other tabi storehouses, was added at the time of its renovation.

【Location】20‐15 Gyoda

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only

Building

Makino Store・Museum of Tabi and Daily Life

This group of buildings of a former tabi shop comprises a large shop with a storehouse and the main house built in 1924, two tabi storehouses made from clay built in 1899—the year of construction is unknown for the other—and a tabi factory built in 1922. The cluster of buildings is reminiscent of the golden years of tabi merchants.

【Location】1‐2 Gyoda

【*Tabi and Living Museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays】

Building

Tokitagura Warehouse

The semi-western style house of the former Tokita Keizaemon Shop was built around 1940 and 1941, while the two tabi storehouses made from clay were completed in 1903 and in the early Taisho period.
The tabi storehouse is L-shaped, a rare structure in Gyoda, and is an eye-catching building along Rengeji Street.

 

【Location】1-5-25 Oshi

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Hozumigura Warehouse

The shop with a storehouse made of stone and the main house were built in 1926 for the merchant who was the largest handler of materials used for making tabi in Gyoda. The clay storehouses were built in the late Meiji period and in 1916; the stone storehouse was built in 1932; and, the mortar storehouse was constructed in the Showa period before the war. The storehouses lining the east side of the lot provide a stunning view.

【Location】5‐8 Gyoda

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Museum of Tabigura and Community Development

The tabi storehouse made from clay of the former Kurihara Daihachi Shop was built in 1906. It is currently used as a tourist information center and a community development information center managed by an NPO. The Japan Heritage guidance center located on the 2nd floor offers information on Japan Heritage and tabi storehouses.

【Location】5‐15 Gyoda

【※Open every day (10:00～16:00)】

Building

Café Kankyo,Tabi Warehouse Gallery“ KADO”,Artisanal Bakery KURA and Kuchiki Architecture Design Office

The house was built in 1930 for the former Okunuki Chukichi Shop. The three truss-structure clay storehouses were built in 1910 and 1916, and there is another clay storehouse for which the year of construction is not known (all tabi storehouses). The only three-story storehouse in the city. Most of the building has been re-purposed.

【Location】7‐3 Gyoda

【*Other than by those using the store or when events are held, it is viewed from the outside only】

Building

Kusaogura Warehouse

Made of stone, the former Kinraku Tabi Company’s tabi storehouse is said to have been built in 1910. Concrete is partially used, which casts doubts on the year of construction but, in any case, this is representative of early stone-built tabi storehouses.

【Location】7‐26 Tenma

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Isami Corporation School Uniform Factory

This former tabi factory with a sawtooth roof was built in 1917. The office was constructed in the following year. The factory (former hall, dormitory, canteen), clay storehouse, and wooden warehouse were built around the Taisho to early Showa periods, and the mortar storehouse was completed in 1938 (all tabi storehouses). This is a typical example of a large-scale tabi factory.

【Location】4‐1 Asahicho

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Tashirogura Warehouse

Five buildings of the former Tashiro Kanesuke Shop stand in a row on a rectangular site that was formed during the Edo period. They include the residence and clay storehouse (tabi storehouse) constructed during the Taisho period, the shop built in 1927, and the main house and clay storehouse (tabi storehouse).

【Location】6‐9 Gyoda

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Formerly Oshimachi Credit Association Store

The wooden western-style bank branch was built in 1922. This was the first branch of the local financial institution, which was founded with investments by tabi merchants and supported the development of the tabi industry. This remains a valuable property because there are few western-style wooden buildings in Gyoda.

【Location】2305 Suijo-koen

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】

Building

Osawagura Warehouse

Completed by the Senzo Osawa VII in 1926, this is the only tabi storehouse made from brick in Gyoda. The refined design of the storehouse reflects Senzo’s love of buildings and reminds us of how the tabi industry once prospered.

Only the former document storehouse is an historic asset. The store with a residence completed in 1928 and the tabi storehouse made from clay, which is said to have been constructed in the late Meiji period, were also certified.

【Location】9-5 Gyoda, Gyoda City

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Formerly Ogawa Chujiro Shoten（Chujirogura Warehouse）

Designed like a clay storehouse, this shop and house were built in 1925 by the Ogawa Chujiro Shop, which handled raw materials used for making tabi. It was a model case of how to re-purpose tabi storehouses by the chamber of commerce and industry, and is currently a soba noodle restaurant run by an NPO.

【Location】1‐4‐6 Oshi

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

【*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】

Building

Okunukigura Warehouse

This large tabi storehouse made from clay was constructed by the Okunuki Chukichi Shop around the Taisho to early Showa periods. It currently houses a soba noodle restaurant.
There were once many tabi factories and storehouses in the area, most of which have disappeared

【Location】3‐12 Tenma

【*Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】

Building

Gyoda-Gama Warehouse

Formerly a warehouse for tabi materials built by the Arai Hachiro Shop in the early Showa period. The building was relocated and only a third of its original size remains. It was used as a pottery kiln until recently. The property is valuable as one of the few wooden tabi storehouses that still stand today.

【Location】1-11-15 Sama, Gyoda City

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Kujirai Warehouse

This reinforced concrete structure was formerly a warehouse for storing tabi materials (tabi storehouse) and is said to have been built in 1928. This is a small tabi storehouse with a flat roof, but it is valuable as one of the few reinforced concrete tabi storehouses remaining in Gyoda from the pre-war period.

【Location】1‐43 Tenma

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Isami Corporation tabi factory

Isami Corporation’s tabi factory is said to have been built in the early Showa period. It is a wooden structure with a western-type design and a sawtooth roof.
In line with the expansion of tabi production, large factories were built in the suburb. This factory is representative of those large tabi factories in Gyoda during the early Showa period.

【Location】4‐31 Mukaimachi

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Tokita Tabigura Warehouse

This large tabi storehouse made from clay for the former Tokita Keizaemon Shop was built in 1929.
Its large size reflects the prosperity of the tabi industry, but it reused materials to cut construction costs, which shows the sound management practices of the tabi merchant.

【Location】1‐3‐29 Oshi

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Musashino Bank’s Gyoda Branch

This branch is a full-scale bank building completed in 1934 by Oshi Savings Bank, which financially supported the tabi industry. It became the Tabi Hall after the war (Tabi association office) and was even paid a visit by the Emperor Showa. It is currently a Musashino Bank branch.

【Location】4‐5 Gyoda

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

【* Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】

Building

Formerly Arai Hachiro Shoten and Other Western-Style Buildings

The three buildings including the office and the main house were built in 1937 by Hachiro Arai, who served as the director of the Gyoda Tabi and Clothing Industry Association.
It was once called the “Tabi palace” and served as a guesthouse in the community. It is currently the Saisaitei Restaurant, which serves Japanese beef kaiseki cuisine.

【Location】1-11-22 Sama, Gyoda City

【Tangible Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

【* Other than by those using the store, it is viewed from the outside only】

Building

Indigo Dyeing Experience Studio "Makiteisha"

The office with a residence, and tabi and clothing factory of the former Makitei Shop were completed in 1940.
It is currently a studio shared by artists and a facility to experience indigo dying managed by an NPO. The old factory area is used to hold events from time to time.

【Location】1‐4‐11 Oshi

【*Indigo dye workshop is open on Sundays only】

Building

Koushigura Warehouse

The stone tabi storehouse was built by the Ohki Suekichi Shop in 1951. Due to a shortage of lumber at the time of construction, this building was built using as little lumber as possible. This is typical of tabi storehouses in Gyoda dating from the post-war period.

【Location】6‐9 Gyoda

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Kurihara Mortar Warehouse

The former Fukuriki Tabi Ltd. relocated a rice storehouse of a farm in Tatebayashi City and made it a mortar tabi storehouse in 1953. This is one of the few storehouses to be relocated and re-purposed as a tabi storehouse after the war. It was renovated recently and maintains a clean exterior.

【Location】4‐12 Tenma

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Konumagura Warehouse

The former Honen Tabi Honpo’s tabi storehouse using Oya stone was constructed around 1954.
Mass production of nylon socks began during this year, which led to a drop in demand for tabi. This tabi storehouse symbolizes the end of the golden age of the tabi industry.

【Location】4‐15 Mukaimachi

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Okunuki Warehous

The tabi storehouse made from clay of the former Okunuki Chukichi Shop is said to have been built in the Taisho period. This is one of several tabi storehouses built in Gyoda by the shop.

【Location】3-35 Tenma, Gyoda City

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Kasahara Residence

The store with a residence of the former tabi raw material shop is said to have been built in 1931. It has since been used as a store with a residence for a tabi wholesaler, as a Japanese-style inn, bar, and currently as a residence. This building reflects the design in the Showa period before the war.

【Location】18-19 Gyoda, Gyoda City

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Building

Gakuya Tabigura Warehouse

Gakuya Tabi’s stone-built tabi storehouse is said to have been built in the early 1950s. This is a representative tabi storehouse of Gyoda in the post-war period.

【Location】5-18 Miyamoto, Gyoda City

【*Viewed from the outside only】

Tangible cultural property

A Tabi Production Tool and Product of Gyoda

The valuable collection of 4,971 items shows the transition of Gyoda tabi production from hand-sewn to machine-sewn products.
Gyoda City Provincial Museum has collected Gyoda tabi socks and a variety of related materials over the years, which are collectively registered as a cultural property.

【Collection of Gyoda City Provincial Museum】

【Tangible Folk Cultural Property Registered by the National Government】

Tangible cultural property

Gyoda Tabi

Tabi socks are manufactured, processed, and quality controlled in Gyoda City. They are widely distributed and promoted as a local brand.
Since long ago, tabi socks made in Gyoda have been popular as “Gyoda tabi.” In recent years, a logo mark was developed to strengthen the brand message.

【Gyoda Tabi & Life Style Museum】

Intangible cultural property

Hatsuuma Festival

This festival to wish for protection against fire began in the Gyoda City area after the great fire of 1846.
The festival is held at Inari shrines built next to each family’s tabi storehouse in the central area of Gyoda City. In addition to the tabi storehouses, this has become a popular attraction, adding to the charms of the back streets of Gyoda.

【Tangible Cultural Property Designated by the City】

Intangible cultural property

Fries

This local specialty is made by mixing scallions in a flour batter and cooking it in thin layers like okonomiyaki.
It became a popular snack among women working in the tabi factories. It is an inexpensive but tasty food from Gyoda and comes in two flavors—Worcester sauce and soy sauce.

Intangible cultural property

Jelly Fries

A local specialty resembling fried croquettes, made by mixing okara (by-product of tofu) and potatoes.
It is a popular snack among tabi factory workers. Along with the fried local specialty, it is becoming more widely known inside and outside the city as an inexpensive but tasty food from Gyoda.

Intangible cultural property

Narazuke(a kind of pickled vegetable such as gourds seasoned in sake dregs) of Gyoda

Narazuke pickles made in Gyoda were a favorite gift that tabi merchants gave to customers. During the golden age of the tabi industry, pickle barrels were placed at a merchant’s storefront and pickles were taken out when they were ready to eat. In recent years, some pickle shops have begun offering classes on how to make narazuke pickles.

Intangible cultural property​

Gyoda Ondo(A folk Song of Gyoda for a Dance)

When Gyoda’s tabi industry suffered from a recession in 1934, the mayor of Oshi Town at the time came up with the idea of asking the famous songwriter Yaso Saijo and the composer Shinpei Nakayama to produce a song to drive away the depression. Tabi is mentioned in lyrics such as “Always remember the tabi in Gyoda.”