The word 'yakata' is written either '屋形' or '館' in kanji (Chinese characters), but no difference existed between their meanings, since '屋形' is believed to have meant simply a residence, judging from the address of Yakata, Yokoshibahikari Town, Sanbu District, Chiba Prefecture, where TAIRA no Takamochi had set up an office for governmental affairs and let his son TAIRA no Yoshikane reside, as well as the current use of the word of 'yakatabune' (a roofed pleasure boat).
例えば、平高望が政務所を設け子の平良兼を住まわしたとされる上総国武射郡の「屋形」の地が千葉県山武郡横芝光町屋形として現在に伝わっており、単に居館のことを意味していたものと考えられ、また屋形船なども現存し、言葉の意味としては屋形と館に違いは無い。