KURADO 蔵戸
KURADO 蔵戸
Traditional Japanese houses over 100 years of age are quite rare, in particular those with a strong inherent aesthetic quality. Such gems may be experienced as museums, high-end accommodation or specialist stores. Valuable architectural elements from these dismantled properties are in increasing demand, as a dearth of craftsmen, and a scarcity of large premium timber makes new construction forbiddingly expensive. Of the architectural features that survive for centuries are the KURADO: massive wooden storehouse doors.
Sake lovers will recognise “kura” as a sake brewery; in fact, kura simply means storehouse or warehouse. Historically, brewing, soy sauce and miso production, and merchant storage were all conducted inside large fireproof storehouses known as kura.
The term KURADO implies a thick wooden structure designed for fire and theft resistance, consisting of vertical solid boards with horizontal board reinforcement on the reverse side. The wood is often keyaki (zelkova), further reinforced with multiple exposed forged iron fittings, large decorative strap hinges, and an ornate surface-mounted lock plate. One of the lock-plates at Koyasan Space is especially ornate, and features a stylised kotobuki (寿) character, a common architectural decoration which signifies longevity and auspicious felicitation.
Historically, the kurado symbolised power and wealth; the proportions of the metal fittings conveyed strength, permanence, and the economic status of the owner.
The KURADO with kotobuki design dates from c. 1850-1900, the late Edo to early Meiji periods, the hand-forged elements attest to this. The lock plate features a small, raised boss with a square hole (for a key), this escutcheon collar reinforces the key aperture and protects the lock case beneath. The lock type is a traditional warded box lock used on kurado and machiya doors. The mechanism sits in a rectangular housing fixed to the interior face of the door. The key used for such locks is a long-shafted iron warded key (wakagi) with a square cross-section. The antique locks and keys are collectors items, in their own right. The doors have a roller construction, moving back and forth on a brass strip, in the floor.
A second kurado carries a pine-needle motif on the keyhole cover as an auspicious decorative element. In Japanese architectural symbolism pine (matsu) signifies: longevity and endurance (evergreen throughout winter); constancy and resilience; good fortune and celebratory associations (e.g. kadomatsu at New Year).
The pine-needle design itself is a long-established geometric pattern in metalwork, textiles, and architectural fittings. It is common on merchant-house and kura hardware from the Edo–Meiji periods.
Two KURADO at Koyasan Space are to be found at the front of the building, and a third inner door which is not, strictly speaking, a KURADO but a lattice door (kōshido) separating the genkan from the guests’ private quarters.
