Posted on October 4th, 2011 at 5:13 AM by admin
Category: Apartment
Traditional Japanese houses are designed to be flexible, spacious and simple. The flexibility of the traditional Japanese house is proven to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. It is simple because it is simply made of wood with a thick paper as divider. Bamboo has also been added as part of the house structural and decorative designs. With the exception of designated areas for bathing, kitchen and toilet, Japan’s traditional house contains one large room designed for multiple uses. It can be use as a sleeping area, a dining room or a receiving area or a combination of both. It has a movable divider or shoji screens inside to make another room.
Another important distinction of Japanese traditional homes from modern Japanese house is the unique interior design. The spacious room is sparingly furnished. Usually, it has only one small, low table at the center as a major component of the house. The wooden floor is covered with tatami mats. Tatami mats are made of woven straw or rush grass which can be used for seating or sleeping. The room is partitioned by a sliding door which is made of wood and washi, a thick paper. The sliding door is movable which can be removed at anytime when a larger space is needed.
The wood and paper design combination is unique among Japanese homes. The windows are also made of wood and paper. The room is usually elevated by one step to avoid moisture from the ground. When people enter the house, they have to remove their shoes or slippers at the entrance or genkan and slipped into an indoor slipper to be worn while inside the house. However, the indoor slippers have to be removed upon entering tatami room. Japanese people don’t use chairs, they prefer to squat or sit on tatami mats or flat cushions called zabuton. Another noticeable distinction is the roof. The roof is mostly large with big eaves to protect the house from summer sun. It is also sloped instead of flat to allow water to flow off easily during rainy days.
Over the years, traditional Japanese house are developed with the introduction of modern facility for convenience. However, many Japanese people with the intention to preserve the value of Japanese architecture, culture and heritage manage to preserve the unique home design with a touch of modern living. Today, tourists who visit Japan, choose to stay in places patterned on Japanese traditional homes. The unique structure coupled with Japanese artistry has attracted tourists who wanted to experience living the olden Japanese way of life.
The wood and paper design combination is unique among Japanese homes. The windows are also made of wood and paper. The room is usually elevated by one step to avoid moisture from the ground. When people enter the house, they have to remove their shoes or slippers at the entrance or genkan and slipped into an indoor slipper to be worn while inside the house. However, the indoor slippers have to be removed upon entering tatami room. Japanese people don’t use chairs, they prefer to squat or sit on tatami mats or flat cushions called zabuton. Another noticeable distinction is the roof. The roof is mostly large with big eaves to protect the house from summer sun. It is also sloped instead of flat to allow water to flow off easily during rainy days.
Over the years, traditional Japanese house are developed with the introduction of modern facility for convenience. However, many Japanese people with the intention to preserve the value of Japanese architecture, culture and heritage manage to preserve the unique home design with a touch of modern living. Today, tourists who visit Japan, choose to stay in places patterned on Japanese traditional homes. The unique structure coupled with Japanese artistry has attracted tourists who wanted to experience living the olden Japanese way of life.
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