Lit. upper kitchen.
1 The room or building in which the final stages of food preparation took place and food destined for the senior members of the household and honored guests was prepared and served. This food area was constructed in the mansions of leading warriors, bushi 武士, aristocrats, kizoku 貴族 and Buddhist prelates from medieval times to the end of the Edo period. It might also be used by servants in waiting as their office area when they were on duty. The term's was *shimodaidokoro 下台所 or lower kitchen which was usually close by. Depending on the size of the complex, the two might be different parts of a single building, adjacent structures abutting each other, or linked by a corridor *rōka 廊下. In most cases the kamidaidokoro had an open hearth *irori 囲炉裏 and was at least partially floored with *tatami 畳. A very similar function was performed in some establishments by *ryōri no ma 料理の間 and *kiyodokoro 清所.
2 In vernacular houses *minka 民家, especially, in the late Edo period a room where food was served and eaten. It was sometimes used as a private parlor.