In the Tamugimata district of Tsuruoka City that is dotted with multi-storied folk houses lies The Endo Family Former Residence built in the Bunka-Bunsei Period in the latter half of the Edo Period (1804-1830).
The building originally had a hipped roof, however, the eaves of the roof were curved to create openings that let in sunlight and let out smoke in what is called Kohappo, following the expansion of the Silkworm business in the Meiji period (1868-1912), and the silhouette of this coupled with the curvature of the roof made the building appear like a Samurai Helmet, giving it the name “Kabuto Tsukuri” (lit. helmet style).
There was only limited land available on top of being in an around renown for snowfall, and extending the building was deemed too difficult, so the building was repurposed to house both people and silkworms, leading to its multiple floors.
(Prefectural-designated Tangible Cultural Property)
997-0532 Yamagata-ken, Tsuruoka-shi, Tamugimata-aza, Nanatsutaki 139
