Dictionary
Battari - Also known as agemise. A low platform installed on the front of a machiya that can be lifted up and stored out of the way (Kyomachiya.net). Its main use was for displaying shop wares to passers by. They are frequently removed in renovations, therefore seldom seen, though typically the reinforcement stones in the pavement remain. In this way one can determine if a house at one point featured a battari (Lofgren, 269).
Bengara - A dark red iron-rich pigment that allegedly originated from the Bengali region of India during the 16th century, which is why it is so named (Kyomachiya.net). Bengara paint can resist sunlight, air, and heat, thus it is applied to nearly all beams and pillars of a machiya (JAANUS).
Degoushi - A picture window used to provide the maximum amount of lighting into the front rooms of the structure.
Engawa - Veranda, usually surrounding the tsuboniwa.
Genkanniwa - Small garden in the entryway. Fairly uncommon and only seen in larger structures.
Hakokaidan - Literally "box stairs". The hakokaidan is a movable staircase housing a series of drawers within the steps as a means of providing additional storage. There are few places within a machiya for storage save for a kura, though not every property possessed one. The hakokaidan provides a means of reclaiming space that would otherwise go to waste. I have seen this in only a handful of machiya (Kyomachiya.net).
Hibukuro - Provides a means for the smoke and heat from cooking fires to exit the machiya in a safe manner. It also serves the function of letting additional light into the room by means of a high window (Kyomachiya.net).
Inuyarai - A small bamboo fence on the lower part of the front of the house designed to protect the wooden facade from damage by passing people or animals (JAANUS).
Kakishibu - A pigment used much like bengara to provide protection to wooden features of the structure. It is created from fermented fruits, and imparts a reddish-brown color to the wood (Lofgren 117)
Kanban - A wooden sign situated on the first storey roof advertising a business.
Komaeyose - A small wooden fence on the front of the structure which served to protect the facade from horses (Lofgren 195).
Kotatsu - The kotatsu is a wooden table meant to be placed over a charcoal brazier in times past as a method of staying warm during winter months. Typically the brazier would be placed in a special depression in the floor, the table placed over it, and a large blanket placed over top. Residents would then sit under the blanket to stay warm. This example is from a beautiful house near Ryoanji Temple. Here the kotatsu is stored in the brazier's depression when not in use.
Mushiko Mado - "Insect cage window". A second-story window utilizing a series of wooden slats to provide a view outside however prevents those on the street from seeing inside. It additionally offers protection from robbery due to the lack of any method of gaining entry. Typically the slats are covered in plaster, which provides a degree of fire resistance. The styles are endless.
Ranma - A wooden board, often intricately carved with beautiful scenes, which rests between the ceiling and the sliding partitions between rooms. It serves the main purpose of improving circulation of air throughout the house. Its origins are in the Kamakura period (Lofgren 170).
Saotenjo - A suspended ceiling used in second story rooms. It is characterized by long, wide cedar boards laid in such a way that no nails are visible from below. Dates from the mid 18th century (Lofgren 167).
Tsuboniwa - A small garden located within the structure. Provides an efficient and attractive means for the disposal of rainwater.
Udatsu - A plaster-covered barrier that prevents the spread of fire from building to building. The udatsu runs the full height of both buildings it is between (Kyomachiya.net). Once a common feature, they began to fall into disuse from the 19th century onward (JAANUS).
Yakiita - Literally "grilled board". Yakiita boards are lightly charred to prevent moisture from penetrating and to kill off any latent mold spores (Lofgren, 117). They are used on the outside of the structure, and while excellent at protection from the elements, offer nothing in the way of fire protection. For this reason they are strongly opposed by current building regulations and are one of the main reasons that modern machiya cannot be constructed.
Yamato tenjo - Ceiling above first floor rooms. The underside of the second story floor boards and supporting beams are left visible (Lofgren 166).
Zashiki - The most formal room in the structure. Used for receiving important guests or customers (Lofgren 176).
Zashikiniwa - Garden designed exclusively for viewing from the zashiki.
Copyright (C) 2007 Nick Coutts - All Rights Reserved
