What a menkawa-bashira is
A menkawa-bashira is squared only in part, keeping rounded surfaces and traces of bark at its four corners. It lies between using a log as found and squaring it fully.
It marks Sukiya-zukuri. The Nakamura Sotetsu Residence in Kyoto, built in 1854, is described as the house of a lacquerer in the Nishijin district with high walls to the south and west and a Toriniwa, built by the carpenter who extended a famous tea house in 1856, its posts including coloured bark-edged timber and shaped logs, with the atmosphere of work by a carpenter of that tradition.
Colouring treats the surface of the timber, and a shaped log keeps the irregularities of the trunk. Listing these together places the bark-edged post among the choices that show the character of the material.
Machiya reception rooms use it too. The Suzuki Residence in Ishikawa Prefecture, built in 1931, is described as having lattice at its openings outside and bark-edged timber in its reception rooms, in what the entry calls a refined townhouse.
Choosing among timbers
Tea houses combine several. The Shin-an tea house in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, built in 1929 and moved in 1980, is described as the work of a named designer originally in Tokyo, its entrance wing, hall and Chashitsu wing, and two-storey reception wing arranged round a central court, using bark-edged timber, logs and squared hemlock among other materials, and three different bay modules, following classical method while showing modern features throughout.
Three choices are named: bark-edged, log and squared. Varying the timber by room and position is what the entry credits as the method of this tradition.
Shoin-zukuri uses squared posts with Nageshi carried round the room. Bark-edged posts with the trim omitted place a room in the other tradition, and read together with the Tokobashira they indicate its character.
On site, look at the corners of the posts. Corners left rounded, with the colour of the outer wood differing from the worked faces, identify this type; a post used as a log has no flat faces at all.
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Registered tangible cultural properties (structures)
- https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/shokai/yukei_kenzobutsu/toroku_yukei.html
- National Cultural Properties Database: Nakamura Sotetsu Residence, a townhouse with a through-passage earthen floor
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003108
- National Cultural Properties Database: Suzuki Residence, bark-edged timber in its reception rooms
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00009160
- National Cultural Properties Database: Shin-an tea house in Sakai, combining bark-edged, log and squared timbers with three different bay modules
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00003116
- National Cultural Properties Database: Sugiura Residence study, staggered shelves beside the alcove and a polished cedar log as its post
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00014393
Last verified: 2026.09.11