Battari shōgi are attached to the exterior wall, so they part of the building’s design. The word "battari" means the sound or motion of something falling down suddenly. These benches can fold down quickly, like a trapdoor. Battari shōgi are made of wood, often with metal reinforcement. In the morning, the shop owner or resident can open the bench by pulling it down. At night or when not needed, the bench is folded back up, flat against the wall. This saves space on the street, which is important in narrow Kyoto neighborhoods. As Kyoto becomes intensely hot and humid in summer, people occasionally sit there to enjoy a rare breeze with a cool drink, but they are used more often to display wares or promotional pamphlets.
by KyotoGaijin
2 comments
When i watched Samurai Prank videos on Youtube, i always see the curved things outside of machiya. I think it made of bamboo strips. What the usage of that curved things?
I don’t know what samurai prank videos are, but you are probably talking about inuyarai. Inuyarai (犬矢来）is a curved bamboo fence under the eaves to stop dogs from peeing on your house, as well as to protect the base of the outside wall from rain, splashes and gravel. And to make a home look aesthetically graceful.