folding bench at the front of a traditional townhouse
A low wooden bench placed outside the front of a machiya (traditional townhouse), often with a fold-down seat that can be used as a display shelf or for sitting. Associated with Kyoto and other historic merchant districts.
See also: 町家 (まちや)
In front of Kyoto machiya townhouses, you sometimes see a battari-shōgi folding bench.
The battari-shōgi is usually folded up and leaned against the wall.
Standard kanji spelling for this traditional folding bench.
Variant kanji spelling using 机 instead of 几; both are seen.
The term combines ばったり (an onomatopoeic word suggesting something that flips or folds down) with 床几 (a low bench or stool). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely describes the folding action of the bench.