The History of the Ohara Family
The Family’s Origins and Rise to Prominence
The former Ohara Family Residence is particularly associated with Magosaburo Ohara, the entrepreneur who founded the Ohara Museum of Art and Kurashiki Kenshoku, the textile company that later became Kuraray Co., Ltd. The Ohara family had been active in commerce in Kurashiki for generations, with its history extending back to the late Edo period. The main house, built during this era, retains many features that reflect the lifestyle of prosperous merchants of the time.
The Ohara Family as an Emerging Power
Kurashiki became a territory directly administered by the Tokugawa shogunate in the early Edo period. Its economy flourished thanks in part to water transport along the Kurashiki River, which supported trade and commercial activity.
For generations, established families known as the Koro held considerable influence in the area. Over time, however, a new class of wealthy families, known as the Shinroku, emerged. The Ohara family became one of the most successful among them, building its fortune as a cotton wholesaler and extending its influence throughout Kurashiki.
Magosaburo Ohara’s Contributions to the Community
In 1889, Kōshiro Ohara participated in the establishment of Kurashiki Boseki, now known as Kurabo Industries. Magosaburo Ohara subsequently expanded the family’s business activities and used the wealth they generated to support the local community.
His contributions included the establishment of facilities such as Kurabo Central Hospital, now Kurashiki Central Hospital, and the Ohara Museum of Art. Through these projects, he helped shape Kurashiki’s development and left a lasting legacy in healthcare, industry, and the arts.
Architecture of the Former Ohara Family Residence
Architectural Features and Cultural Designation
On March 11, 1971, ten buildings at the former Ohara Family Residence, including the main house, were designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The surrounding grounds received the same designation in 1982.
The residence served as a private home for many years and was not generally open to the public. In April 2018, it opened to visitors under the name Kataraiza Ohara Hontei, allowing the public to discover its architecture, history, and cultural significance.
Layout of the Estate
The residence stands beside the Kurashiki River within the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The main house occupies the southeastern corner of the property, facing the river, and connects with the inner storehouse and a detached residential building. Five storehouses stand in a row along the northern side of the grounds, creating a distinctive architectural landscape.
The buildings were constructed over an extended period, from the late Edo period through the Taisho era (1912–1926). Together, they form an important part of the historic streetscape for which Kurashiki is known.
The Main House and Storehouses
The main house is a two-story structure with a low attic level and a traditional Japanese tiled roof. Although the roof may appear at first glance to be an irimoya-style roof, it is actually a kirizuma-style gabled roof. The building incorporates distinctive local architectural details, including Kurashiki-style windows and wooden latticework.
The storehouses use traditional earthen construction, with exterior walls decorated in namako-kabe, a distinctive pattern formed by raised plaster joints over tiles. The contrast between the tiled surfaces and white plaster creates an attractive visual effect while reflecting traditional Japanese building techniques.
Buildings Designated as Important Cultural Properties
The designation covers the following ten buildings and the estate grounds: the main house, inner storehouse, detached residential building, storehouse, new storehouse, middle storehouse, inner-middle storehouse, north storehouse, Mine Storehouse, and west storehouse.
The Book Café at Kataraiza Ohara Hontei
A Recreation of Soichiro Ohara’s Study
The residence includes a book café inspired by the study of Soichiro Ohara. Approximately 2,000 books are displayed here, including works on birds and the Japanese folk craft movement, two subjects that particularly interested him.
Surrounded by books in a quiet, relaxing setting, visitors can enjoy a cup of the café’s original Kataraiza Ohara Hontei blend. The space offers a pleasant opportunity to pause and reflect while exploring the historic residence.
Special Exhibitions and Displays
The exhibits include objects and artworks from the Ohara family’s collection, as well as distinctive installations such as *Furisosogu Kotoba* and *Cube Tree*. These creative displays offer different perspectives on the family’s history and legacy across eight generations.
Through its architecture, collections, and exhibitions, the residence provides a deeper understanding of the people who helped shape Kurashiki’s cultural identity.
Discover the Historic Heart of Kurashiki
The former Ohara Family Residence is much more than a historic building. It offers visitors a chance to experience the refined atmosphere of a prosperous merchant household and learn how the Ohara family contributed to the development of Kurashiki.
Wander among the traditional storehouses, admire the quiet Japanese garden, and take in the timeless beauty of the surrounding historic district. For travelers wishing to discover the essence of Kurashiki, Kataraiza Ohara Hontei offers a memorable encounter with the city’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage.