Shiga Naoya helped design the floor plan, prioritizing a flow that connected the study directly to the family living quarters.
The residence includes a sunken fireplace or 'irori' room, a rarity for homes of that period in the region.
The house served as a salon for contemporary writers and intellectuals who frequently visited Naoya during his tenure here.
The transition between the Western-style guest room and the Japanese tatami rooms demonstrates the hybrid architectural trends of the Taisho era.
The house survived the turbulence of the early Showa period, allowing for an authentic look at the domestic environment of a literary master.
Shiga Naoya's Old Residence is a Taisho-era architectural landmark in Nara where the renowned 'God of Literature' lived from 1929 to 1938. The house was designed personally by Shiga Naoya, blending traditional Japanese sukiya-style construction with Western-style structural influences. It is famous for being the setting where he completed his major novel, A Dark Night's Passing. The layout features a central courtyard and distinct wings, including a dedicated study that overlooks the garden. The property is currently managed by Nara Gakuen educational foundation. It remains preserved to reflect the lifestyle of the intellectual elite in early 20th-century Japan.
From the garden looking back at the house, capturing the reflection of the building in the surrounding greenery.
Walk the perimeter of the garden to observe how the windows align with the seasonal foliage.
Bring a pair of clean, white socks, as you will be required to remove your shoes before stepping onto the wooden floorboards.
Allocate extra time to sit in the study and observe the light as it filters through the paper screens.
Do not attempt to touch the shoji screens or historical artifacts on display.
Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a holiday) and during the year-end/New Year period.
Shoes must be removed at the entrance; wearing socks is required; smoking and eating inside are prohibited; photography of sensitive interior items may be restricted.
