Fig. 55.—Fishermen's Huts in Hakodate.
Fig. 56.—Fishermen's Huts in Enoshima.
In the city no outbuildings, such as sheds and barns, are seen. Accompanying the houses of the better class are solid, thick-walled, fire-proof buildings called kura, in which the goods and chattels are stowed away in times of danger from conflagrations. These buildings, which are known to the foreigner as “go-downs,” are usually two stories in height, and have one or two small windows, and one door, closed by thick and ponderous shutters. Such a building usually stands isolated from the dwelling, and sometimes, though rarely, they are converted into domiciles. Of such a character is the group of buildings in Tokio represented in [fig. 57], belonging to a genial antiquary, in which he has stored a rare collection of old books, manuscripts, paintings, and other antique objects.
Fig. 57.—Kura in Tokio.
