Nagato region
Hagi Castle town.
...I think we need to go that way...
Azaleas everywhere!
The restored and preserved section of Hagi.
A restored merchant's home/storefront.
The big boss of this area shopped exclusively at this merchant, and had his own private entry in the garden.
The long soft wood planks were placed to protect the expensive shorter hardwood planks. Only the big boss was allowed to walk on the hardwood planks!
This was a wash basin where the boss could wash his hands. It has a "trench" around it to catch any spills, and keep them from splashing the boss.
An interior room, set up for book reading.
The rafters and the roof. The merchant could not have a second floor, otherwise anyone who was up there when the boss arrived would be higher than the boss.
One of the interior garden spaces.
Our delightful hostess and guide! She followed us through most of the building and was very helpful in her explanations.
She did seem to igore a few of the other visitors! I guess there are benefits to being polite and curious and asking intellegent questions!
...next page.