Earthen and Plaster Walls - Machiya House Features

Earthen & plaster walls are a quintessential characteristic of traditional Japanese machiya homes. Until the Edo period (1603-1867), white clay walls were more widely used. and many castles built during this period featured white clay walls, as they were considered to be a symbol of power.

Then, during the Momoyama period (1573-1600), the plaster method was established. The earthen walls of the Japanese room pictured in this machiya house showcases a technique called “Kaki-otoshi”, where the surface of the clay wall is scratched with a skewer or brush to create a unique texture.

The plastering in this machiya house is done by craftsmen Kusumi Naoki, who is active in restoring important cultural properties throughout Japan to convey Japanese traditions in the modern age. Enjoy a craft passed down through the ages at ‘Masarigusa’ Machiya House.