This paper demonstrates the following points:
1. By the end of the 16th century, thick pillars began to emerge in kuri—meal preparation areas of temples—and kitchens of upper-class dwellings. These were known as daikokubashira, likely derived from the name of the guardian deity of a temple’s meal preparation area, Daikokuten.
2. In the early 17th century, thick pillars also appeared in the earthen floors of minka, Japanese vernacular houses of the non-ruling classes, and these were known as daikokubashira.
3. By the 17th century, the daikokubashira had already acquired symbolic meaning.
