What ushibari means
An ushibari is a heavy beam run lengthwise through the middle of a traditional roof frame. In wide buildings, the tie beams spanning from eave to eave or the inclined beams running from eave to ridge become long, and the ushibari supports them midway to share the load.
It is made of a large log or squared timber carried on posts or struts, and is common in storehouses, breweries and large farmhouses with spacious interiors. Records often mention it together with inclined beams.
Reading the records
Records describe roof frames using ushibari. The front storehouse of the Nakamura family in Azumino, Nagano, a two-storey clay-walled storehouse with a raised roof, is lined with boards inside and uses ushibari and inclined beams in its roof. The brewing house of the Hakubotan brewery's Tenpō building in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, a large clay-walled building 24 by 13 metres, has ridge posts every three bays carrying octagonal ushibari.
On site, look up into the roof for a heavy beam running lengthwise with other beams resting on it.
References
- 中村家住宅表土蔵｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00005435
- 白牡丹酒造天保蔵仕込蔵｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00011827
Last verified: 2026.09.27