Attic (Ama)
In the Edo period (1603–1867), a person’s class and rank determined the plan, ornamentation, and size of the residence permitted to him. As a rule, the houses of ashigaru (foot soldiers) were single story. A single-story house, however, left limited space for storage, so many ashigaru found ways to make use of the roof space. This space was called the ama or attic. In winter, it often became an area to store firewood. Also, despite the single-story policy, some families may have put tatami flooring in this space and used it as an additional room. The ladder affixed to the wall allowed household members to obtain easy access to it.