Changes

*''Japanese'': [[中村]] 家住宅 ''(Nakamura-ke juutaku)''

*''Japanese'': [[中村]] 家住宅 ''(Nakamura-ke juutaku)''

The stone walls of the property encircle an area roughly 1,557 meters square, which contains the main house, an elevated storehouse (''[[takakura]]''), a barn, stone pig pen (''[[furuu]]''), well, and gardens, as well as one outhouse. A number of ''fukugi'' trees, similarly dating to the 18th century, also surround the house. They serve not only to help protect the house from strong winds (including during typhoons), but also provide yellow dye used for making traditional ''[[bingata]]''; the bark can also be used for producing thread to be woven into cloth.

The stone walls of the property encircle an area roughly 1,557 meters square, which contains the main house, an elevated storehouse (''[[takakura]]''), a barn, stone pig pen (''[[furuu]]''), well, and gardens, as well as one outhouse. A number of ''fukugi'' trees, similarly dating to the 18th century, also surround the house. They serve not only to help protect the house from strong winds (including during typhoons), but also provide yellow dye used for making traditional ''[[bingata]]''; the bark can also be used for producing thread to be woven into cloth.

As is typical of traditional Okinawan homes, the main entrance through the stone wall, oriented to face south, features a ''hinpun'', a stone block that blocks passersby from peeking into the home, and is also said to block evil winds or spirits from entering the space. ''[[Shisa]]'' (lion dogs) atop the roofs serve a similar purpose, in scaring off evil spirits. The roof of the house was originally thatched, but red terracotta roof tiles were put into place in the Meiji period.

As is typical of traditional Okinawan homes, the main entrance through the stone wall, oriented to face south, features a ''hinpun'', a stone block that blocks passersby from peeking into the home, and is also said to block evil winds or spirits from entering the space. ''[[Shisa]]'' (lion dogs) atop the roofs, as well as on the ground in the courtyard, serve a similar purpose, in scaring off evil spirits. The roof of the house was originally thatched, but red terracotta roof tiles were put into place in the Meiji period.

Entering past the ''hinpun'', one comes into the main courtyard, with the storehouse (''takakura'') to the left (west), and the main house straight ahead (north), with an annex, directly attached to the main house, extending to the right (east). The main house, or ''omoya'', contains eight rooms. Near the front are the ''ichibanza'', ''nibanza'', and ''sanbanza'' (lit. first, second, and thirdThe rooms), where guests would be entertained, and where other more public activities might take place. As in Japanese homes, one removes one's shoes and steps up onto a wooden veranda which separates the interior rooms from the outdoors. Sliding doors that separate the rooms could be opened, closed, or even fully removed to create larger or smaller spaces as necessary. The ''nibanza'' also contains the family altar (''[[butsudan]]''), where offerings were made both to the family ancestors and to various deities or spirits. A small room in front of the ''sanbanza'', known as the ''nakame'', was used for sorting produce or other goods and products, either for the family's own use, or for sale at market. To the left of the ''sanbanza'' is a large wooden-floored room (without tatami), which was used as a dining room, and gathering space otherwise. To the rear of the home are four tatami-matted ''uraza'' (lit. "rear rooms") which served as bedrooms, and were also used otherwise for more personal or private activities. Two additional rooms are located in the east wing ("annex," or ''asagi'') of the house. These rooms were used by the second and third sons of the household until they married and formed their own branch households; the rooms were also used to receive elite guests, including government officials.

Entering past the ''hinpun'', one comes into the main courtyard, with the storehouse (''takakura'') to the left (west), and the main house straight ahead (north), with an annex, directly attached to the main house, extending to the right (east). The main house, or ''omoya'', contains eight rooms. Near the front are the ''ichibanza'', ''nibanza'', and ''sanbanza'' (lit. first, second, and thirdThe rooms), where guests would be entertained, and where other more public activities might take place. As in Japanese homes, one removes one's shoes and steps up onto a wooden veranda which separates the interior rooms from the outdoors. Sliding doors that separate the rooms could be opened, closed, or even fully removed to create larger or smaller spaces as necessary. The ''nibanza'' also contains the family altar (''[[butsudan]]''), where offerings were made both to the family ancestors and to various deities or spirits. A small room in front of the ''sanbanza'', known as the ''nakame'', was used for sorting produce or other goods and products, either for the family's own use, or for sale at market. To the left of the ''sanbanza'' is a large wooden-floored room (without tatami), which was used as a dining room, and gathering space otherwise. To the rear of the home are four tatami-matted ''uraza'' (lit. "rear rooms") which served as bedrooms, and were also used otherwise for more personal or private activities. Two additional rooms are located in the east wing ("annex," or ''asagi'') of the house. These rooms were used by the second and third sons of the household until they married and formed their own branch households; the rooms were also used to receive elite guests, including government officials.