The Yoshida-ke Residence Restoration Project

The Kesen region has a long and rich history, including a history of natural disaster. Nothing tells that story better than the Yoshida-ke Residence Restoration Project. After being destroyed by the 2011 tsunami, a project was started to rebuild the house using traditional techniques and materials.

History

The entrance to the house, before the tsunami

The house is named after the Yoshida family, who have lived in the region for over 400 years. Uemon Yoshida, the first head of the family, moved to the village Imaizumi when he was appointed by the founder of the Sendai Domain, Date Masamune, to govern the village.

The residence was built in 1802 by a local carpenter and was used for a variety of different purposes, such as where Inspectors sent from the Shogunate would stay while performing their duties, or for when the Sendai Domain Daimyo would visit the region. It originally consisted of 4 buildings, and the layout of the house changed often to suit the needs of the different guests.

It also has been designated a Tangible Cultural Property by Iwate Prefecture. In 2006, the original house, as well as the former storehouse, miso warehouse, and barn were included in the designation. After the tsunami disaster, the designation was amended to only include the main house.

Overhead view of all the buildings, 1993.

Disaster

When the 18-meter tsunami caused by the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake swept through Rikuzentakata, Imaizumi district and the residence was unfortunately hit as well. Debris then spread out all over the surrounding areas. Parts of the thatched roof were found around 300 meters south of the property, and different parts of the tatami room were found about 100 meters west. Days shortly after the tsunami, volunteers from around Japan and people who lived in the neighborhood began recovering the pieces of the main home. The remains of the house were easy to spot out of the other wreckage because the materials unique to the residence.

The thatched roof and other pieces of the house among the wreckage cause by the tsunami.

【Credit: Iwate Prefectural Museum】

Restoration

The restoration project began in 2015 with an archaeological survey of the site, to catalog where all the original foundational stones were located on the property and prepared the site for reconstruction. In order for the future building to inherit the Tangible Cultural Property designation, the project would need to use original, recovered materials whenever possible. They accomplish this by connecting new material to old material using traditional Japanese joinery.

Wooden structural pieces mated to original foundation stones, encased in concrete for safety.

To make the recovered materials useable for the project, they desalinated and cleaned all that they could reasonably use. The team used surviving floor plans and pictures, as well as knowledge of how traditional houses were constructed, to figure out where a specific piece was from within the overall structure. After all this careful preparation, craftsman from the Kesen region and beyond use their skills to restore the home using traditional and modern methods.

Constructing the framework

Recovered wood joined together with new wood using traditional woodworking techniques and modern construction hardware.

Construction workers plastering the walls.

Construction workers laying the foundation for the new thatched roof.

Current Progress

As of now they have completed replacement of the thatched roof. They hope to complete the project by the end of 2024. If you are in the area while the project is still ongoing, you can view the restoration work at any time.

Check them out on Instagram for more information and progress photos.　 @yoshidakeomoya