Style: Traditional
Owner: The Ōta Clan
Location: Maple Town
Floor Area: 7,000 sq. ft
A central garden separates the larger main grounds from the guest ones. Several birdbaths rest here, drawing in a multitude of different avians every day. A small koi pond can be found in the exact center of the garden, surrounded by colorful shrubbery on all but one side. Next to the pond sits a moderately sized momiji tree. Nailed to the broad trunk of the tree is a beautifully handcrafted kamidana. Offerings are left here as frequently as someone remembers. Incense can commonly be found burning on the altar and it is cleaned every day without fail. Most of the family aren't particularly religious but they honor the traditions of their ancestors and pay their respects from time-to-time. Ōta Arata prays here most often. Yasu visits occasionally. Newly planted sakura trees pepper the garden, seeming to want to stretch higher than their infantile branches allow them. The vibrant petals adorning them add a beautiful and soft touch of pink to the estate grounds. A single bench rests opposite of the koi pond, giving visitors or members of the family a place to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the calming outdoors. This is a favorite place of Ōta Suzu, who will often bring a mat outside and pluck away at her shamisen amongst the serenity of the garden.
Oftentimes one can find an overweight black cat scurrying around the estate grounds. Saya, the only girl of the four Ōta children, rescued him as a stray and has taken to calling him "Toto" due to his love of fish. He is very skittish of strangers and a natural troublemaker. If he isn't swatting at the koi in the garden he is knocking over dishes or clawing up furniture.
Unlike a lot of other clans, the Ōta don't employ a waiting staff or any type of servants. Not just for monetary reasons, either. Their humble beginnings have had a profound effect on the way they view the world. It's hard to not see those who can't clean their own home or feed themselves as indolent. Chores are split up amongst all members of the household. Most of the cooking is done by Suzu and Saya, with the occasional help from some of the boys.
While the guest house is comprised only of a couple of rooms, the main grounds consists of a myriad of fusama that mostly all connect to one another. A few areas of the estate have solid walls where privacy is necessary. One of note is near the very back of the estate. Officially it is used to conduct clan business...unofficially it is a secure meeting place for Ōta Arata and his often shady associates. Unbeknownst to anyone except members of the clan, there is a hidden passageway underneath the entirety of the estate that runs about half a kilometer away from the house. It isn't traveled often at all instead being there for use only in case of an emergency.
House Rules said:Open to all, just knock or don't! Solos will be done here from time-to-time.