jifuku 地覆

1　A sleeper. The lowermost horizontal beam that spans the width of a bay *hashirama 柱間, from pillar to pillar in order to stabilize, strengthens, and distributes the load from the pillars to the framework of a building. Jifuku are attached to the foundation stones *jifuku-ishi 地覆石. They are placed directly on the ground in simple or temporary structures. See *dodai 土台.

2　The lowest of the three horizontal rails composing a balustrade *kōran 高欄, especially the decorative kind used on temple buildings or those surrounding a veranda.

3　A sleeper is also placed at ground level between the pillar base boards or stones and is stationary. It serves as a doorstop against which the gates swing closed. This arrangement is called *karaishiki 唐居敷. If the sleeper is removable to allow a vehicle to pass, it is called *kehanashi 蹴放.