Historic merchant house and Bengala museum in the heart of Fukiya

4.0
旅行時期：2025/11（約8ヶ月前）

by Cyberさん（男性）

備中高梁クチコミ：4件

吹屋ふるさと村の通りに今も残る近世商家の家屋で、通りに面しているのは母屋であるが、敷地内にはベンガラ製造にかかわる付属屋があり、ベンガラ製造の行程を学ぶ上で非常に貴重な史料館の一つと言える。
家屋の造りとしては、いわゆる江戸時代〜明治時代の商家として日本の他の地域でも見られる典型的なものとなっている。各部屋は広く設えられているものの、やはり通り沿いに家屋が軒を連ねるように建てられているからか、（現在は電気の照明があるとはいえ）やや薄暗い印象を覚える。
この施設の特徴は、やはりベンガラ製造の付属屋と言えよう。製造工程から往年の製造風景、化学構成、歴史など、ベンガラを歴史的・化学的な観点で学ぶことが出来る。一方でこの付属屋の一部の壁も街中の家屋の壁や塀と同様にベンガラが塗布され、衣服に付着しやすい。白色など色移りしやすい衣服を着ての来訪には充分に注意したい。

This historic merchant's house is one of the preserved buildings that still line the main street of Fukiya Furusato Village. While the main residence faces the street, the property also includes auxiliary buildings that were used in the production of bengala (traditional red iron-oxide pigment). As such, it's one of the most valuable places in the village for learning about the history and manufacturing process of bengala.
The main house itself is a fairly typical example of a merchant residence from the late Edo and Meiji periods, similar to those found in other parts of Japan. The rooms are generously sized, but because the houses in the district were built closely together along the street, the interior can feel somewhat dim, even today with electric lighting installed.
The real highlight of the property is the former bengala production facility. Exhibits explain the manufacturing process, historical production methods, chemical composition, and cultural significance of bengala, allowing visitors to learn about the pigment from both historical and scientific perspectives. For anyone interested in traditional industries or local history, it's a particularly informative stop.
One practical note for visitors: parts of the walls in the auxiliary buildings, like many walls and fences throughout Fukiya, are coated with bengala pigment. The pigment can transfer to clothing if touched, even after many years. Visitors wearing light-colored clothing, especially white garments, should take care not to brush against the walls during their visit.