Hashizai
Bridge beams
These two chestnut-wood beams date to the twelfth century and formed part of the support structure for bridges that researchers believe had thatched roofs. The bridges spanned the inner palace moats, which were about 9 to 12 meters wide and about 2.5 meters deep. The beams were unearthed at the Yanaginogosho site, which scholars believe was the administrative center of Hiraizumi. They offer a rare glimpse into bridge construction using architectural techniques of the twelfth century.