Namako-kabe
The term namako-kabe (sea cucumber wall) comes from a technique of affixing flat roof tiles to a wall and building up the mortar joints with white plaster to resemble the sea creature called a namako. This exterior wall method offers excellent fire resistance, thermal insulation, and moisture control, and was commonly seen from the Meiji era through the early Showa period. However, it has declined year by year due to deterioration and rebuilding. Today it can still be found in Izu — notably in Matsuzakicho and Shimoda City — and elsewhere in Japan, such as Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture and Higashihiroshima City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Matsuzakicho still retains over 190 such buildings, preserving their traditional charm.
Namako-kabe has become rare nationwide. The town treats it as an important resource and actively works to preserve it. Skilled plasterers who can still create namako-kabe carry out restorations, helping to pass on the craft and maintain the streetscape, while a local volunteer group, Matsuzaki Kura-zukuri-tai, promotes conservation and awareness. Although namako-kabe may seem commonplace, it survives today because of the dedication and efforts of these craftsmen and townspeople to pass this regional resource on to the future.