A Hamlet by the Sea Where You Can See the Combined Skills of Ships' Carpenters Expressed in the Historic Houses
The Shukunegi village is the most recommended spot in the Niigata Prefecture's Sado Island floating on the Sea of Japan. It is a home to Sengokubune (merchant ship) and ship builders. It has been a port since the medieval times and began to flourish in the 17th century and became a developed port for the merchant shipping industry. The houses found lined up in Shukunegi were built by the town’s shipwrights. In order to make the most out the narrow land, the houses generally did not have a garden and were built as tall two storey houses. The little alleyway running through the south side of the community called “Yosute Koji” still has the old cobblestone paving laid back in the day, giving it that historic vibe. This area has been declares as a National Important Preservation Area for Traditional Buildings and Architecture.
Three of the houses believed to have been built between the early and mid-19th century are open to the public (fee payable) and convey to visitors the history of this small hamlet, where all people were engaged in work relating to shipbuilding and shipping. The outer walls of the houses are made of vertically grained timber called tsutsumi-ita (wrapping planks) that protect the houses against sea breezes blowing off the Sea of Japan. In contrast with the simple appearance of the outside, the interiors have elaborate designs with much lacquer coating.
A must-do activity at Shukunegi is the “Tarai Bune” or “Tub Boat” boat ride program! The tarai bune boat is basically a large barrel cut in half, and the locals often call it a “half-cut”. The tub boats are still used today for fishing abalone and sea snails etc as well as collecting seaweed. At the complexly shaped coast of the Ogi peninsula, the boats are great for accessing areas that any normal boat wouldn’t be able to get to. So why not hop into a tarai bune tub boat and check out Shukunegi from the ocean too!
The livelihoods of the entire population of the village were related to cargo vessels in some way, from ship owners, to sailors, carpenters, blacksmiths and coopers. The village represents an interesting history of involvement in ship-related industries and their gradual growth with influence of society and culture. Why not come for a stroll around this quiet community where people’s lives and history intersect? It is highly recommended to walk around as well as stroll along a canal that crosses the entire village.
Three of the houses believed to have been built between the early and mid-19th century are open to the public (fee payable) and convey to visitors the history of this small hamlet, where all people were engaged in work relating to shipbuilding and shipping. The outer walls of the houses are made of vertically grained timber called tsutsumi-ita (wrapping planks) that protect the houses against sea breezes blowing off the Sea of Japan. In contrast with the simple appearance of the outside, the interiors have elaborate designs with much lacquer coating.
A must-do activity at Shukunegi is the “Tarai Bune” or “Tub Boat” boat ride program! The tarai bune boat is basically a large barrel cut in half, and the locals often call it a “half-cut”. The tub boats are still used today for fishing abalone and sea snails etc as well as collecting seaweed. At the complexly shaped coast of the Ogi peninsula, the boats are great for accessing areas that any normal boat wouldn’t be able to get to. So why not hop into a tarai bune tub boat and check out Shukunegi from the ocean too!
The livelihoods of the entire population of the village were related to cargo vessels in some way, from ship owners, to sailors, carpenters, blacksmiths and coopers. The village represents an interesting history of involvement in ship-related industries and their gradual growth with influence of society and culture. Why not come for a stroll around this quiet community where people’s lives and history intersect? It is highly recommended to walk around as well as stroll along a canal that crosses the entire village.
