Sheltered Bench (machiai)

This structure is called a "machiai" in Japanese which translates as "waiting building". Traditionally, it is the place where tea ceremony participants wait before entering the tearoom. The machiai is framed with natural Alaskan yellow cedar timbers. The walls are surfaced with Japanese mud plaster and black colored rice paper. Layered cedar shingles make up the roof which is capped with traditional Japanese ceramic tiles.