Changes

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 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 ''ashagi'') 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.

The kitchen is located to the far west end of the house; as in traditional Japanese homes, the kitchen is not elevated, and does not have a wooden or tatami-lined floor, but rather is a style of room known as a ''doma'' (lit. "earth space"), with an earthen floor. Having an earthen rather than wooden floor contributed significantly to reducing the danger of fires. This space contains a hearth and several spaces for cooking fires (''kamado''), and for placing pots and the like over the fires. A small set of shrines or altars, to the home's [[hearth deity]] (''fii nu kan''), among others, is also located in the kitchen, alongside numerous jugs and baskets for storing foodstuffs.

The kitchen is located to the far west end of the house; as in traditional Japanese homes, the kitchen is not elevated, and does not have a wooden or tatami-lined floor, but rather is a style of room known as a ''doma'' (lit. "earth space"), with an earthen floor. Having an earthen rather than wooden floor contributed significantly to reducing the danger of fires. This space contains a hearth and several spaces for cooking fires (''kamado''), and for placing pots and the like over the fires. A small set of shrines or altars, to the home's [[hearth deity]] (''fii nu kan''), among others, is also located in the kitchen, alongside numerous jugs and baskets for storing foodstuffs. The roof over the kitchen is quite high, and as in traditional Japanese homes, allows considerable space for heat and smoke to rise up away from the ground-level kitchen; soot that accumulated in the thatch helped make the roof slightly more fire-resistant.

The storehouse (''takakura'') just west of the main courtyard consists primary of an elevated portion, within which agricultural products would be stored. Elevating the storage helped to keep vermin out (at least to some extent), and to keep the interior somewhat cooler and drier, as breezes could blow underneath and help to remove some of the humidity that might otherwise accumulate. The ''takakura'' at the Nakamura House is somewhat unusual in that the lower portion, normally simply empty open space, has been enclosed with four walls, producing a second storage space on the ground level.

The storehouse (''takakura'') just west of the main courtyard consists primary of an elevated portion, within which agricultural products would be stored. Elevating the storage helped to keep vermin out (at least to some extent), and to keep the interior somewhat cooler and drier, as breezes could blow underneath and help to remove some of the humidity that might otherwise accumulate. The ''takakura'' at the Nakamura House is somewhat unusual in that the lower portion, normally simply empty open space, has been enclosed with four walls, producing a second storage space on the ground level.