munamochi-bashira 棟持柱

Also osabashira 小狭柱 or futabashira 二柱. A generic name for pillars which rise from the ground to support directly the ends of the ridge. Such pillars are associated with the shinmei style *shinmei-zukuri 神明造, of shrine architecture where free-standing pillars support an extended ridge on each of the gable ends. Pillars in farmhouses nōka 農家, in parts of Yamanashi Prefecture, rise through two stories to support the ridge directly. Here they are called *udatsu-bashira 卯立柱. In the yojirō style, yojirōgumi 与次郎組, the ridge-bearing pillar receives the ridge directly within the framework of the roof *koyagumi 小屋組. In this way, raking beams *noboribari 登梁, could rise from the purlins *keta 桁, to create a large usable space under the roof *yaneura 屋根裏. This method of construction can be found on storehouses *dozō 土蔵, and merchants' houses *machiya 町家.