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hottatebashira@Œ@—§’Œ
KEY WORD :@architecture / general terms
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Also written Œ@—§‚Δ’Œ, Œ@Œš‚Δ’Œ. Earthfast posts. Posts *hashira ’Œ whose feet, nemoto ͺŒ³, are embedded directly into the earth. Hottatebashira were ubiquitous in Japanese timber framed structures in the Joumon, Yayoi and Kofun periods and continued to be used even after the introduction of foundation stones. In the 6-8c, hottatebashira were widely used even in the Nara capital Heijoukyou •½ι‹ž, not only for dwellings of the lower classes, but also for the imperial residential compound of the palace dairi “ΰ— , the mansions of the aristocracy, and for most of the structures such as offices and storehouses in administrative compounds. The central post *shinbashira S’Œ of a pagoda *tou “ƒ was also a hottatebashira. The use of foundation stones at ground level spread gradually during the succeeding centuries, first to the residences of the upper classes and then into vernacular houses *minka –―‰Ζ, but hottatebashira were still used in farmhouses until as late as the mid-18c. By the end of the Edo period, their use was mainly confined to temporary huts and ancillary structures. The principle advantage of hottatebashira was that they gave a timber frame great structural stability. Their main weakness was their tendency to rot at the point where the post entered the ground, thus limiting the lifespan of the building. Details of construction varied according to period and the status of the building: In the Joumon period, a circular hole larger than the diameter of the post was excavated to a depth exceeding its diameter, the post inserted, and the hole backfilled and tamped. In soft ground, the end of the post was sometimes cut to a sharp point, and then pushed down into the earth at the bottom of a 'v' section pit. With the advent of iron digging tools in the Yayoi-Kofun periods, excavation became easier and the holes larger, square in plan, and rectangular in section. Hottatebashira reached a peak of sophistication in the Asuka-Nara periods, in the major building complexes of the capital, and in provincial administrative centers. The bottom of the pit was sometimes lined with a bed of small pebbles *kuri-ishi ŒIΞ, to make a solid level base. A flat piece of wood *soban ‘b”Υ or stone ishi-no-soban Ξ‚Μ‘b”Υ or *soseki@‘bΞ, larger than the diameter of the post was often used to spread the load of the post and prevent excessive settlement. Another technique employed to spread the load was the use of timber cotters, makuragi ––Ψ, let into carefully cut channels in the base of the post. Accurate positioning of posts became increasingly important in section as well as in plan, and this was reflected in the use of timber wedges *kusabi žΆ, set upon the soban to adjust the height of posts. To slow down the onset of rotting where the post entered the ground, it was often encased in clay, nendomaki ”S“yŠͺ‚«, either just at the interface, or sometimes right down to the base. The most elaborate protective detailing was reserved for the central pillars of pagodas which were first surrounded by laths *soegi “Y–Ψ, bound in position with rope, and then cased in clay from ground level to the base of the post. The use of hottatebashira continued into the medieval period, but its decline was related to the development of more sophisticated frame construction which provided stability and rendered the hottatebashira unnecessary.
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