Soukakisha

The residence where Shoyo Tsubouchi, a Meiji literary master also famed for his translations of Shakespeare, lived for fifteen years from 1920 (Taisho 9) until his death in 1935 (Showa 10).

Tsubouchi lived for about nine years in Arayado (present-day Ginzacho), where he translated Shakespearean plays and wrote dramas such as The Lingering Moonlit Night and The Last Days of Yoshitoki. As the once-quiet Arayado grew noisy and no longer suited his writing life, he built this new house in Minaguchicho.

It became known as Soukakisha, named after two great persimmon trees said to be over 300 years old.

On the grounds you can see a tower-shaped study and a monument to writing implements, and a notable highlight is the gate plaque penned by Aizu Yaichi.

※You can tour the garden and the study.

<Middle Gate>
The inscription reading “Soukakisha” was written by Aizu Yaichi (Shūsō Dōjin) and carved by Terayama Takuboku (Taisho 12).

<Main Building (Guest Room and Study)>
The tea room, the couple’s living room, and the study on the second floor of the main building were used for creative work and special calligraphy sessions.

<Persimmon Trees>
Of the old persimmon trees that inspired the name Soukakisha, one was toppled by a typhoon in 1979 (Showa 54).
“In the winter garden the gaunt guardian stands; the two-trunked persimmon makes a curious sight.”
“Two persimmons dye the gate along with the evening sun.”
※Because the remaining tree had also gone into decline, in February 1999 (Heisei 11) a Hachiya persimmon was donated and planted from Tsubouchi’s birthplace, Minokamo City in Gifu Prefecture.

<Monument to Writing Implements>
Erected by his wife on the third anniversary of Tsubouchi’s death in 1937 (Showa 12). The stone is natural Tsukuba stone.
Beneath it are Tsubouchi’s brushes and fountain pen stored in a granite box. The inscription on the monument is by Aizu Yaichi.

<Monument to Fuku no Yu>
Erected at Minaguchien in 1932 (Showa 7) and relocated to Soukakisha in 2007 (Heisei 19).
It is made of Nebu River stone, measuring 207 cm high, 122 cm wide, and 22 cm thick.
When the hot spring drilling succeeded in 1928 (Showa 3), Tsubouchi named the spring Fuku no Yu. Later, in 1932 (Showa 7), at the request of Minaguchien owner Yoshio Mizutani, he wrote the title plaque and the inscription describing its origin.
“Long ago this area had scarcely any fields to see; then multistoried thickets grew hereabouts. When the village’s large house moved and Mizutani the owner considered how to use the land, in the early part of Taisho 11 a portion was turned into a pleasure garden and later run as an inn. In the autumn of Showa 2 further drilling began, and by July of the following year the work was completed as intended. Naming the hot spring Fuku no Yu, I was asked to record its origin in an inscription. The land west of the Hatsu River was believed to lack spring veins; even trial drillings usually failed. That our garden’s owner should alone complete such a feat — is this not a wondrous heavenly blessing? Alas, such heaven-sent fortune may spur this garden to flourish; indeed may the spring well up like this very bath — with such celebratory feelings I name the spring.”
Dated an auspicious day in August, Showa 7. The neighboring house’s persimmon tree and a bald brush record this.

<Raku-style Kiln-like Incinerator>
Made by Fukuoh Ikuta.
“This is the raku kiln; it knows no hardship, made by Fukuoh’s own hands.”
“Plum blossoms — who peers into the kiln? Two sweet potatoes.”

<Yabu Camellia>
On the sixtieth memorial of Tsubouchi’s death in 1995 (Heisei 7), a Yabu camellia was gifted from his birthplace in Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture and planted here.

<Tsubouchi’s Study House>
Completed in 1928 (Showa 3).
Tsubouchi designed it himself in a fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. The tower’s shaft and roof express Japanese style; the balustrades and turtle-back base express Chinese style; the rooftop battlements express Western style.
The tower’s weather vane, a kingfisher and its olive leaf, was made by Aida Tomiyasu. The kingfisher references a line from Shakespeare’s King Lear.

<East Wing (Detached)>
Built as his wife’s retreat; completed in 1934 (Showa 9).

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<Shoyo Tsubouchi’s Gravesite>
Kaizo-ji Temple — a three-minute walk south from Soukakisha. Posthumous Buddhist name: “Soshin-in Shijo Shoyo Koji.”

Address / 11-17 Minaguchicho, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture 413-0016
Phone / 0557-86-6232 (Atami City Lifelong Learning Division, Cultural Exchange Office — weekdays only)
Access /
■From JR atami station take a bus bound for Ainohara about 10 minutes → get off at kinomiya station mae → about a 10-minute walk
■From JR atami station by taxi about 10 minutes
Opening Hours / Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00–16:00
Admission / Free
Parking / None