This paper introduces the results of shaking table tests of bearing walls, which are one of the main lateral force resisting elements of traditional timber structures in Japan. The specimens were combinations of mud wall, siding wall, suspended wall and frame, each of which were 1span by 1span full-scale models of walls used in traditional timber houses. The fundamental vibration characteristics and failure procedure are clarified. The hysteresis characteristics of walls were idealised by a bilinear + slip model and non-linear earthquake response analyses were performed. The results of the analyses and the experiments are compared and the application of the model discussed.