うだつ

noun

short pillar supporting a ridgepole

Architectural term for a short vertical post set on a beam to support the ridgepole in traditional Japanese buildings. Now mostly encountered in the idiom うだつが上がらない.

See also: うだつが上がらない

• 古ふるい民みん家かの梁はりの上うえにうだつが立たっている。

  In the old farmhouse, a short pillar stands on the beam to support the ridgepole.

• 「うだつが上あがらない」のうだつは、もともとこの柱はしらを指さす。

  The うだつ in the idiom うだつが上がらない originally referred to this pillar.

noun

raised roof edge; fire wall with raised edge

A mud wall with a raised roof edge, used as a firebreak and status symbol in traditional townhouses. Also a historical architectural feature; now mainly known through the idiom.

• 町まち家やのうだつは防ぼう火か壁へきの役やく割わりも果はたした。

  The raised roof edge of the townhouse also served as a fire wall.

• うだつのある家いえは裕ゆう福ふくな商しょう家かの証あかしだった。

  A house with a raised roof edge was a sign of a wealthy merchant family.