Odanoke

Semboku City designated historic site

A branch of the Satake clan, the family has been a senior vassal of the Satake clan since the time when the Satake clan ruled Hitachi. When the Satake clan was transferred to Akita, the family became subordinate to the Imamiya clan and moved to Kakunodate, and later became subordinate to the Satake Kita family. The current Odano family moved to its current location in Higashi-Shorakucho in 1677, and has maintained its gate in the same place for over 340 years to the present day. For generations, the Odano family has excelled in martial arts, mentoring many disciples, and was also known as a skilled ophthalmologist. One member of the family is Odano Naotake, the founder of Akita Western painting.

The main house was destroyed in the Great Fire of the Meiji Period, but was quickly rebuilt in a simplified style while retaining the appearance of a modern samurai residence. From the gate to the main house, there is a tunnel of Enkianthus campanulatus, which seems to represent a principle befitting a samurai residence. The garden is a dry landscape garden, but it is also rich in Kumazasa bamboo, and in autumn, the maples, Japanese maples, and Enkianthus campanulatus turn red and yellow, creating a magnificent scene reminiscent of a nishiki-e painting.