The basic research on the historical development of the residential architecture in the cities of eastern Japan.

在全国范围内对民家（民居）和城市景观（城市景观）的研究正在开始澄清民家的地理分布、历史发展及其对边缘地区的影响。本研究将有助于研究日本东部城市的住宅建筑，并通过使用两个指标对“联排别墅”（即正门朝向街道的商人住宅）进行分类。一个是楼层分区。二是屋顶形式与入口的关系。HIRA-IRI是山墙端与入口成直角的类型。TSUMA-IRI是入口位于山形墙的同一侧的类型。从北陆地区到日本海一侧的新泻县南部，主要是平入式。相比之下，TSUMA-IRI是日本从北方山形到日本海一侧的北海道的主要类型。但是，在关东中部的沼田市，以可以追溯到江户时代早期的TSUMA-IRI为主，在日本海一侧的酒田市，以TSUMA-IRI为主，在市中心的大型住宅中可以看到HIRA-IRI。HIRA-IRI是发达地区（京都）的主要类型，已逐渐向欠发达地区蔓延（日本东部），TSUMA-IRI在江户时代占主导地位。在这个过程中，平入只是在一些城市的富商中被接受为身份的象征，而在另一些城市，它已经完全取代了TSUMA-IRI。TOORIDOMA-ICHIRETSU型（沿着交通的土巷的排屋类型），这是典型的京都，并在普通的屋和TOORIDOMA-NIRETSU类型中流行（沿着土巷的双排房型）起源于富商的雅人。

The nation-wide research on MINKA (folk-style houses) and MACHINAMI (urban landscape) is beginning to clarify geographical distribution of MINKA, its historical development and its influence upon marginal areas. This research could contribute towards the research on the residential architecture in the cities of eastern Japan and the classification of MACHIYA (literally townhouse, or the residence of merchants with its main entrance facing the street) by using two indices. One is floor-level zoning. The other is the relation between the roof form and the entrance. HIRA-IRI is the type in which the gable-end makes a right angle with the entrance. TSUMA-IRI is the type in which the entrance is on the same side of the gable-end.HIRA-IRI is the main type seen from Hokuriku district to southern Niigata prefecture on the Japan Sea side. In contrast, TSUMA-IRI is the main type from northern Yamagata to Hokkaido on the Japan Sea side of Japan. However, TSUMA-IRI which could be traced back to the early Edo is the main type in the city of Numata in central Kanto and in the city of Sakata on the Japan Sea side where TSUMA-IRI is dominant, HIRA-IRI was seen among large-scale residences in the city center.In general, HIRA-IRI which was the major type at the advanced area (KYOTO) had gradually spread to under-developed areas (eastern Japan) where TSUMA-IRI was dominant in the Edo period. In this process, HIRA-IRI was accepted only among wealthy merchants as the status symbol in some cities whereas in other cities it had completely replaced TSUMA-IRI.In regards to floor-level zoning, its understanding would be further enhanced by classifying it into two types; TOORIDOMA-ICHIRETSU type (the row room type along the earthen alley for traffic) which is typically seen in Kyoto and became popular among ordinary MACHIYA and TOORIDOMA-NIRETSU type (the double row room type along the earthen alley) originated among MACHIYA of wealthy merchants.