Shijia Stone House in Tuanjie Village

Shijia Stone House in Tuanjie Village

The small stone residence of the Shi family is a typical Miao ethnic dwelling, located in Tuanjie Village (formerly known as Dangtuo Village), Majing'ao Township, Jishou City. The house is laid out in an "L" shape, featuring a wooden frame, a stone slab foundation, and a wooden structure enclosed with planks. Nestled against the hillside, it consists of two courtyards and three bays, with a five-pillar, eight-beam roof framework. The left and right bays are partitioned by wooden boards, which already differs from the open layout traditionally found in Miao homes. In addition to a bedroom in each of the left and right bays, there is also a bedroom located behind the main hall, with the three bays respectively housing the three sons of the household. The side rooms, arranged from south to north, include the parents’ bedroom, the kitchen, and a small woodworking workshop. The father usually lives here and also does some handicraft work to make a living. The kitchen has been moved from the hearth room to the side room, indicating a shift in the traditional lifestyle of the Miao people. In fact, although the family lives together, the three sons have already started cooking separately. Interestingly, besides the main house and side rooms, the residence also includes a small gatehouse, which serves as the mandatory entrance to the home. It is usually used for storing miscellaneous items, while also providing a shaded, sheltered spot for passersby to rest and escape wind and rain. As a result, it has become a small public space for villagers and a symbolic feature of the household, giving the place a strong sense of character.