Japanese Heritage Shōya House

Deana Hight, Art Muse Lecturer

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino beckons visitors with a tranquil haven, offering a perfect escape from the bustling world. Its newest addition to the existing Japanese garden is the Japanese Heritage Shōya House and agricultural compound.  It is a testament to the museum's commitment to preserving historical and cultural treasures. The 3,000-square-foot house is a 320-year-old magistrate's house from Marugame, Japan, and witnessed centuries of history while serving as the heartbeat of village life. Built around 1700 in a small farming district, a Kagawa prefecture, it served as a family’s private residence and community center for the village during the Edo period (1603-1867).  It was a place for community gatherings and festivities and where the local farmers would pay taxes.

Photo: Deana Hight November 2023.