Weathercock House / Weather Vane House
The Weathercock House (Kazamidori-no-Yakata) is a historically significant building located in Kitano-cho 3-chome, Chuo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Constructed in 1904, it was originally the private residence of a German trader and is one of the city's well-known Ijinkan—Western-style houses built in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The building is characterized by its thick red brick walls and the weathercock mounted on the rooftop, which has become its most iconic feature. Since the original owner was named Thomas, the house is also commonly referred to as the “Former Thomas Residence” or “Old Thomas House.” It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan and is part of the "Kitano-cho Yamamoto-dori" Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The structure consists of two main floors, with some areas extending to a third level. The entrance is located on the eastern side of the building, and a balcony is situated above the entryway. On the first floor, a large hall is located slightly north of the center, while the south side contains the living room. The northern part of the eastern wing houses a study, and the southern part is a reception room. The western side contains the dining room, with another balcony on its southern edge. The second floor mirrors the layout of the first, featuring a children’s room, breakfast room, guest bedroom, and a master bedroom. A tower is located on the southeastern corner of the building, with the weathercock sitting atop it.
As for the wooden elements of the exterior, they were painted gray at the time the building was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1978, and later repainted in a brownish hue. However, according to the original blueprints signed by the architect, De Lalande, the wooden sections were initially intended to be dark green. During the 2011 repainting, there were proposals to restore the building’s original dark green color based on this historical evidence.
