Japanese house - how is it arranged inside and outside? Japanese houses are traditional. Japanese tea houses Traditional Japanese housing

The East, as they say, is a delicate matter. Western civilization is experiencing a fascination with Japan, its culture, cutting-edge technology and spirit seeking harmony with nature. The Japanese style is very popular in the interior, perhaps precisely because the traditional Japanese house is so different from our usual homes.
For example, we all know that any building starts with a strong foundation, then the walls are built and finally the roof. This is not the case in a Japanese home. He does not have a stone foundation, as if he strives to heaven, to the spiritual sphere, and does not burden himself with excessive material possessions. Its base is wooden columns and a roof.

The real reasons for this design are obvious and consistent with natural conditions: hot summer and abundance winter rains, possible earthquakes. The ocean moderates Japan's climate, so there is no need to retain heat in winter. The roof serves as protection from the scorching sun, and the simplicity of the structure makes it easy to restore it after an earthquake. In some places, the art of constructing buildings without nails, by cutting grooves in wood that fit perfectly together, has still been preserved. The walls of a Japanese home are just partitions between load-bearing columns. As a rule, one of the walls is permanent, the others are movable panels that act as doors, windows and walls. There are no usual glass windows in frames!
Instead of external walls, you will see shoji - panels of thin slats of wood or bamboo, fastened together like a lattice. The gaps in the panel were covered with a sheet of rice paper, and sometimes lined with wood. Almost a house of cards! Thin walls are fixed in grooves and moved to the side, like doors in sliding wardrobes. In hot weather, the shoji can be removed altogether, providing access to air in the saving shade of the roof.
The internal walls are wooden frames, pasted on both sides with thick paper. They create rooms and, if necessary, are removed altogether. The rooms are also separated by curtains or screens. This ease allows the inhabitants of the house to change the layout according to their needs.
How do spouses seclude themselves, you probably ask? In fact, there is not even a common bed for husband and wife in the home. The union of bodies and souls is sacred, therefore it takes place in a special structure in the depths of Japanese garden, in the most secluded and picturesque place.
The floor of a traditional home is wooden flooring, raised above the ground at a height of at least half a meter. Wood balances temperature differences, flooring provides a little ventilation, and wooden structure in an earthquake it is safer than piles of stones.
It is unusual for a European to be in a “paper” house. This is not a house that is a “fortress”. For the Japanese, protection from the outside world is not as important as harmony in the soul and unity with the spiritual component of nature. What to do if nature is still stronger? It will take a lot of work to repair the stone structure after each earthquake. Isn't it better to be light as a feather and be able to bend down to the ground during the violence of the elements that uproot oak trees? Probably, the Japanese understand the impermanence of material values ​​and their ability to be destroyed, so their housing and life are quite ascetic.

A traditional Japanese house looks very unusual from a European point of view. Moreover, both outside and inside. Everything here is very strict and, at the same time, elegant and bright. Wood and paper are the main materials used in traditional construction in Japan. The floors are covered with tatami, and instead of doors between the rooms of the house there are sliding partitions - fusuma. Interior Japanese house assumes decorative ornaments like wall panels, traditional Japanese colored lanterns and picturesque flower arrangements, placed in niches and on tables.

Minka (literally "people's house(s)") is a traditional Japanese house.

In the context of the division of Japanese society into classes minka were the dwellings of Japanese peasants, artisans and traders, i.e. non-samurai part of the population. But since then, the class division of society has disappeared, so the word “minka” can be used to refer to anyone of the appropriate age.

Minka have a wide range of styles and sizes, which is largely due to geographical and climatic conditions, as well as with the lifestyle of the inhabitants of the house. But in principle, mink can be divided into two types: village houses(noka; nōka) And town houses (machiya). In case of village houses You can also distinguish a subclass of fishermen's houses, which are called gyoka.

In general, surviving minkas are considered historical monuments, and many are protected by local municipalities or the national government. Of particular note are the so-called "gasshō-zukuri", which survive in two villages in central Japan - Shirakawa (Gifu Prefecture) and Gokayama (Toyama Prefecture). Collectively, these buildings have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peculiarity of these houses is their roofs, which meet at an angle of 60 degrees, like hands folded in prayer. Actually, this is reflected in their name - “gassho-zukuri” can be translated as “folded hands”.

The central point in the construction of the mink was the use of cheap and accessible building materials. The peasants could not afford to import something very expensive or use something that was difficult to find in their home village. So, almost all nokas are made exclusively from wood, bamboo, clay and various types grass and straw.

The “skeleton” of the house, roofs, walls and supports are made of wood. Bamboo and clay were often used to make external walls, but internal walls were not built and instead sliding partitions or fusuma screens.

Grasses and straw were also used to make roofing, musiro mats and mats. Sometimes the roof, in addition to thatch, was covered with baked clay tiles. Stone was often used to create or strengthen the foundation of a house, but stone was never used in the construction of the house itself.

When you first see interior of a Japanese home, what is most striking is the complete absence of any furniture. All you see is the bare wood of the support pillars and rafters, the ceiling made of planed boards, lattice frames shoji, the rice paper of which softly diffuses the light coming from outside. They spring slightly under your bare feet tatami - hard, three fingers thick mats made of quilted straw mats. The floor, made up of these golden rectangles, is completely empty. The walls are also empty. There are no decorations anywhere, except for a niche where a scroll with a painting or a calligraphic poem hangs, and under it there is a vase of flowers: .

Just feeling it on my skin in a Japanese house how his closeness to nature turns out on winter days, you truly realize the meaning: this main view self-heating. IN Everyday life Every Japanese, regardless of his position and income, has no greater joy than basking in a deep wooden vat filled with incredible amounts of hot water. In winter, this is the only opportunity to truly warm up. You need to get into the furo after first washing yourself out of the gang, like in a Russian bathhouse, and rinsing thoroughly. Only after this do the Japanese plunge up to their necks into hot water, pull their knees up to their chin and blissfully remain in this position for as long as possible, steaming their body until it turns crimson red.

In winter, after such a bath, you don’t feel a draft for the whole evening, from which even the picture on the wall sways. In summer it provides relief from the sweltering humid heat. The Japanese are accustomed to bask in furo, if not every day, then at least every other day. So much misfortune hot water per person would be an unaffordable luxury for most families. Hence the custom of washing from the gang so that the vat remains clean for the whole family. In villages, neighbors take turns heating furo to save on firewood and water. For the same reason, public baths are still widespread in cities. They traditionally serve as the main place of communication. After exchanging news and gaining some warmth, the neighbors disperse to their unheated homes.

IN summer time When it is very hot and humid in Japan, the walls move apart to allow the house to be ventilated. In winter, when it gets colder, the walls move so as to create small interior rooms, which are easy to heat with braziers.

The floor of a traditional Japanese house is covered with tatami - square straw mats.. The area of ​​one is about 1.5 square meters. m. The area of ​​a room is measured by the number of tatami mats that fit in it. The tatami mats are cleaned and replaced periodically.

In order not to stain the floor, in traditional Japanese houses they do not wear shoes - only white tabi socks.. Shoes are left at the entrance to the house on a special step - genkan(it is done below floor level).

They sleep in traditional Japanese houses on mattresses - which are put away in the closet in the morning - osi-ire. The bedding set also includes a pillow (previously a small log was often used as such) and a blanket.

They eat in such houses, sitting on futons. Small table with food is placed in front of each of the eaters.

There must be an alcove in one of the rooms of the house -. This recess contains art objects that are in the house (graphics, calligraphy, ikebana), as well as cult accessories - statues of gods, photographs of deceased parents, and so on.

Style motivation

Why is the Japanese house a phenomenon? Because its very nature goes against our usual concept of home. Where, for example, does construction begin? an ordinary house? Of course, from the foundation, on which strong walls are then erected and reliable roof. everything is done the other way around. Of course, it does not start from the roof, but it also does not have a foundation as such.

When building a traditional Japanese house factors of a possible earthquake, hot and extremely humid summer are taken into account. Therefore, it is basically a structure made of wooden columns and a roof. The wide roof protects from the scorching sun, and the simplicity and lightness of the structure allows the damaged house to be quickly reassembled in case of destruction. Walls in a Japanese house- This is just filling the gaps between the columns. Typically, only one of the four walls is permanent; the rest consist of movable panels of varying density and texture, which play the role of walls, doors and windows. Yes, In a classic Japanese house there are no windows that we are used to!

The external walls of the house are replaced - these are wooden or bamboo frames made of thin slats assembled like a lattice. The spaces between the slats used to be covered with thick paper (most often rice paper) and partially covered with wood. Over time, more technologically advanced materials and glass began to be used. Thin walls move on special hinges and can serve as doors and windows. During hot times of the day, the shoji can generally be removed, and the house will receive natural ventilation.

Interior walls of a Japanese house even more conventional. They are being replaced fusuma– light wooden frames, covered on both sides with thick paper. They divide the home into separate rooms, and if necessary, they can be moved apart or removed, forming a single large space. Besides, interior spaces separated by screens or curtains. Such “mobility” of a Japanese house gives its inhabitants unlimited possibilities in planning - according to needs and circumstances.

Floor in a Japanese house traditionally made of wood and raised at least 50 cm above the ground. This provides some ventilation from below. Wood heats up less in hot weather and cools down longer in winter; moreover, it is safer during an earthquake than, for example, masonry.

A European person entering a Japanese home has the feeling that this is just a decoration for theatrical production. How can you live in a house that has practically paper walls? But what about “my home is my castle”? Which door should be bolted? Which windows should I hang curtains on? And which wall should you put the massive cabinet on?

In a Japanese house you will have to forget about stereotypes and try to think in other categories. For for the Japanese, what is important is not “stone” protection from the outside world, but the harmony of the inner.

Inner world

To some extent, the house in which we live reflects our character, vision of the world, and aspirations. The atmosphere inside the house for the Japanese is perhaps the most important thing. they prefer minimalism, which allows them not to overload the space and energy of the house. Everything is extremely functional, compact and light.

When entering the house, you must take off your shoes to your socks. In Japanese tradition, socks are white, because the house is always perfectly clean. However, maintaining it is not so difficult: the floor is lined tatami- dense mats made of rice straw, covered with igus grass - swamp reed.

There is practically no furniture in the house. The one that exists has been reduced in size to a minimum. Instead of bulky cabinets - built-in wardrobes with sliding doors, repeating the texture of the walls. Instead of chairs there are pillows. Usually eaten at low prices portable tables. Instead of sofas and beds - futons (mattresses filled with compressed cotton). Immediately after waking up, they are put away in special niches in the walls or in built-in closets, freeing up space for living.

The Japanese are literally obsessed with cleanliness and hygiene. At the border of the sanitary zones of the house - the bathroom and toilet - special slippers are placed, which are worn only in these rooms. It is worth recognizing that in the absence excess furniture, unnecessary trinkets and non-functional items, dust and dirt simply have nowhere to accumulate, and house cleaning is kept to a minimum. In a classic Japanese house, everything is designed for a “seated person.” And sitting on the floor. In this you can see the desire to be closer to nature, to the earth, to the natural - without intermediaries.

Light is another Japanese cult. In a house where both external and internal walls are made of translucent materials, a lot of natural light penetrates, even if all shoji closed. Their lattice frames create a special light pattern. The main requirement for light in a Japanese home is that it be soft and dim. Traditional rice paper lampshades diffuse artificial light. It seems to permeate the air itself, without drawing attention to itself, without distracting.

Clean space and peace - this is what the inhabitant of a Japanese home should provide. If we can fill our rooms with flowers, vases, souvenirs and over time we even stop noticing these things, then the Japanese do interior decoration rooms there is only one accent (painting, ikebana, netsuke) that will please the eye and set the atmosphere. Therefore, in every house there is a wall niche - tokonama, where a neat Japanese will place the most beautiful or valuable thing he has.

Japanese style

Of course, time and technological progress have changed the way of life and... Classic in the full sense of the word japanese houses Now they remain only in rural areas. But every Japanese tries to preserve the spirit of national traditions in their home. In almost any Japanese apartment, even the most modern and “European” apartment building, there is at least one room in a traditional style. And this is not a tribute to fashion, but something natural and logical, without which a Japanese cannot imagine his home.

The minimalist style also prevails in Europeanized Japanese housing - it perfectly suits the conditions of scarcity and high cost. square meters, overloaded with the stresses of big city life. The attitude towards one's space, towards residential territory in overpopulated Japan is reverent, because of the seven thousand islands under the Japanese flag, only 25% of the land is suitable for living.

Modern housing in Japan

The average size of a house/apartment in Japan is 5 rooms. There are three bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen/dining room. The living area of ​​such a house is about 90 square meters. m. For private houses, this is, respectively, 6 rooms and about 120 sq. m. m of living space. In Tokyo, where housing prices are significantly higher, apartments and houses are on average one room smaller.

The vast majority of Japanese children have own room(for each child).

There is almost always at least one traditional style room. The remaining rooms are usually made in European style, With wooden floors, carpets, beds, tables, chairs and so on.

In modern Japanese houses It's cold to walk in the tabi (the floor is not heated), so the Japanese wear slippers. There are special slippers for the toilet to avoid spreading dirt. In general, the Japanese are very scrupulous about personal and home hygiene.

Let's start our tour of Japanese style from a traditional Japanese house. Many articles on the Japanese home mention Minka, which literally translates to the house of people.

Minka is the housing of peasants, artisans, merchants, but not samurai. Minka can be divided into two types: village houses (noka) and city houses (machiya). In turn, in village houses one can distinguish a separate type of traditional fishing Japanese houses called gyoka.

Minka were built from cheap and available materials. The frame of the house was made of wood, external walls made of bamboo and clay, and interior walls there was no partition or fusuma screen instead. The roof of the house, mats and tatami mats were made from grass and straw. Rarely, the roof was covered with baked clay tiles; stone was used to strengthen the foundation of the house.

There were two sections inside the mink, the first section had an earthen floor (this part was called doma), the second rose 50 cm above the level of the house and was covered with tatami. Four rooms were allocated in the “white” part of the house. Two rooms are residential, including the one where the fireplace was located. The third room is a bedroom, the fourth is for guests. The toilet and bath were located outside the main part of the house.

The Doma section was used for cooking and contained a clay pot. kamado oven(Kamado), wooden washbasin, food barrels, water jugs. In principle, doma is the grandmother of the kitchen in Japanese style, it is unlikely that you will want to repeat such a kitchen at home.

Rice. 2. Kamado stove in a Japanese house

The entrance to the main building was closed by a large odo door; a built-in hotbed of irori(irori). The smoke from the hearth went up under the roof of the house, sometimes through a small vent, there was no chimney. The irori hearth was often the only way to illuminate the house in the dark.

Samurai House

Samurai House was surrounded by a wall with a gate; the larger it was and the better decorated, the higher the status of the samurai. The basis of the house design support pillars, the house is rectangular in plan, and it itself is raised on stilts 60-70 cm from the ground, which protected it from dampness and mold.

Rice. 4. Samurai residence

The house visually resembles a panel house frame house, but only partially understandable depending on the season of the year. The outer walls, which face the street, are fixed and motionless, and the wall facing the courtyard was made sliding. This wall was called amado, it looks like a shield of tightly knit wide boards, installed in cold weather or the night before shoji.

Machiya - urban Japanese houses

Machiya These are traditional wooden town houses that, along with village houses (noka), represent Japanese folk architecture (minka).

Machiya in Kyoto for many centuries represented the standard that defined the form of Machiya throughout the country. That is, if you want to see the real ones matia, then go to Kyoto.

Rice. 8-9. Machiya in Kyoto

Typical Machiya is long wooden house with a façade facing the street. The house itself can be one, one and a half, two or even three floors high.

At the front of the building there was often a store, which was closed from the outside by doors that rose or moved apart. This part of the house constituted the "shop space" of the house.

The rest of the house is the so-called "living space", which consisted of rooms for various purposes, including for storing goods, receiving clients and guests, preparing food or relaxing.

Rice. 10. Machiya schematic illustration

Shoji and Amado

When closing, the amados were tightly adjacent to each other; the outermost amado was locked with a bolt lock. This wall reminds us of an awkward big door compartment, which slides into an outer storage box made at the edge of the wall; the box itself can also be hinged. In a number of designs, the amado was removed completely, they were lifted up and hooked onto special hooks.

Rice. 14. Traditional Japanese minka house

Rice. 18. Amados rise on hooks

Rice. 21. Engawa - traditional Japanese house

Rice. 22. Engawa in modern interpretation

Shoji perform the function of both windows and doors and partitions. In English writing, shoji is written shoji.

In modern terms, shoji are traditional Japanese sliding doors. interior partitions, which operate on the principle of compartment doors. The frame and internal partitions of such a door are made of wooden blocks and bamboo.

Rice. 24. Shoji design

Shoji design - the upper and lower tracks are reminiscent of modern ones aluminum systems compartment doors

Inner space shoji, almost called it a compartment by analogy with our doors - the filling is covered with paper, which the Japanese themselves call washi - washi paper.

Washi paper is made from bark fibers. mulberry tree(kozo), Gampi bush (gampi), Mitsumata, as well as with the addition of bamboo fibers, wheat, and rice. Because of the latter component, the paper is mistakenly called rice paper.

Traditional washi production technology provides for its natural bleaching without chemicals, so the material is environmentally friendly. The paper turns out strong and elastic.

The division of the living space of a Japanese house into rooms was done using fusuma sliding partitions. There are no big differences between sliding doors and partitions. The main difference is in terms: if a doorway is closed, then it is a fusuma door, and these are always opaque partitions; if a whole room or a very large opening is partitioned, it is a shoji sliding partition.

Fusuma doors

Fusuma- This wooden frame, covered with washi paper on both sides. Wealthier Japanese used silk to decorate their doors. Fusuma doors were opened similarly to shoji doors, that is, according to the principle of compartment doors. Fusuma doors had an integrated handle, the design of which was also given special attention.

Rice. 34. Interesting modern interpretation Japanese partitions

By the way, also interesting photo movable partitions from the museum house in Kamamura, Japan and a similar design already in a modern house.

Usage wooden gratings when creating a furniture façade, it already points to the Japanese style. The photo below is interesting design solution in this style when creating a cabinet for equipment.

Hallway or genkan in a Japanese house

In a Japanese house there is something like a hallway that is understandable to us. Noteworthy is the large difference in height between the entrance and the passage to the house. This difference has both special cultural significance and functions as an “airlock” that separates the heated interior of the house from the cold, unheated entrance.

Almost every genkan There is a getabako shoe cabinet and a bench. In this nook the Japanese leave street shoes and put on slippers.

A few more photos of the genkan, but in a modern version. I’m adding a photo because the topic of minimalism in furniture is interesting to me. Light colors and a lot of wood reminiscent of Scandinavian style.

Dojo

Dojo this is a place where a real Japanese person disciplines and improves himself to become a better person. Initially it was a place for meditation, later the term dojo began to be used to name the place where training and competitions in Japanese martial arts take place.

The photo below shows some examples of dojo. It is necessary large room, with tatami on the floor, sliding partitions shoji or fusuma.

Tatami in a Japanese house

The floor in a Japanese house is covered with tatami. Tatami these are mats made of pressed rice straw covered with mats, all of this is fastened at the edges with dense fabric, often black.

Tatami are made rectangular, their size varies in different parts of Japan, in Tokyo the size is 1.76 m * 0.88 m. Poor townspeople and rural residents, unlike samurai, slept directly on the floor, laying down bags filled with rice straw.

Hibachi

An interesting part of the Japanese home is the portable fireplaces. hibachi, traditionally in a Japanese home they were used for heating.

Initially, hibachi were carved from wood and covered with clay, then from ceramics and metal. Again, wealthy Japanese craftsmen turned hibachi into an object of art based on the degree of finishing.

Rice. 54. Ceramic hibachi

Rice. 55. Bronze hibachi

True hibachi were shaped like a pot, sometimes in the form wooden cabinet, in the center of which there was a coal container. Nowadays such pots are mostly used as decorative items for creating an interior in Japanese style.

Hibachi in the form of a cabinet resembles a modern stove, which was already used not only for heating, but also to boil a kettle.

Irori and kotatsu

In addition to hibachi, there were more effective ways heating: irori And kotatsu. Irori is an open fireplace that was cut into the floor; people not only warmed themselves around it, but also boiled water.

Rice. 65-66. Kotatsu

In her magazine you can find a lot of interesting things about Japan, Japanese life and other travels.

Living in an old Japanese house is an unforgettable experience. Everything is according to traditions: genkan, washitsu, fusuma, shoji, tatami, zabuton, futon, oshiire. There is even a kamidana. With simenawa and side, as expected. I photographed everything, everything, everything, filmed short video. I invite you on a tour.

Genkan - Japanese hallway. Shoes must be removed in this area. According to the rules, you should turn your shoes towards the door. You need to step on the hill barefoot.

Traditional men's footwear maybe this is an option geta

A room in a traditional Japanese style is called washitsu. The space is divided using internal sliding walls fusuma. The frames and gratings are made of wood, the outer side is covered with opaque rice paper. Partitions separating living quarters from the veranda are called shoji. They use rice paper that transmits light.

Kamidana is a niche for kami. A small Shinto shrine, similar to the home altar in Russian huts. Shimenawa- literally “fencing rope”, denotes sacred space. The white zigzag stripes are called shide. Kami are Japanese deities and spirits.

There is no central heating. You can turn on the air conditioner, if there is one in the house, or the floor heater. Judging by the smell, the heater is gas catalytic, so it is better not to use it. Heating a house with air conditioning is expensive, so they solve the problem locally. Comes to understand the beauty of the Japanese bath ofuro. It’s small in area, you can’t stretch your legs, but the water doesn’t cool down for a long time, and it’s deep, with only your head outside. The owner carefully left the hot water bottles. Electric sheets are also widely used. There is also special devices - kotatsu, .

A futon is a thick, soft mattress spread out at night for sleeping. In the morning he cleans the closet. The cabinet is called oshiire.

In the warm season, the corridor around the perimeter of the house is combined with the garden. The walls simply move, and at the same time it becomes cooler. In this case, traditional shoji replaced with modern glazing.

Doors are usually decorated with paintings. Please note that the image is shifted to the bottom because it is designed for a seated person. In a Japanese house it is generally not customary to stand upright, so he moved from place to place and sat down on his knees again. The pose is called seiza, literally “correct sitting.”

The living room is adjacent to a European sofa and Japanese table on low legs. A flat pillow is called zabuton. They are used for sitting on the floor or on chairs. Although Japanese chairs are actually a seat with a back.

The kitchen is located outside the house, it is more of a terrace. There is a rice cooker, a microwave, something like a grill, a stove and a refrigerator. A lot of dishes.

The washing machine is just huge

Since the main space of the house is located on a hill, you can arrange a storage room. Underground, like ours.

The window overlooks the garden

This is Voneten Guest House on the island of Izu-Oshima, located in the town of Habuminato, in general a village - https://naviaddress.com/81/700037. I booked the house on Booking. The owner is sociable and hospitable. I met him at the bus stop, took him to the supermarket, launched my drone, and shot a video as a souvenir. It was great. Port Habu is a quiet place, the best experience.

Japanese cat Anko. Well-mannered, she doesn’t go into the house. Even if the door is open, he sits outside.

At the end of the video, a tour of the house.

Modern Japan is no longer the same as it was a century ago. The rapid development of industry significantly changed the entire way of life and way of life of Japanese society. Here is the minka already - traditional japanese house, has become a thing of the past, remaining only in the form of museums.

Japanese traditional village dwelling

Traditionally in Japan minka- This home of peasants and artisans. That is, this is the home of the not very rich part of Japanese society. And when there is no money, then what to build your home from? It is clear that from scrap materials that could be obtained nearby.

The climate of Japan, located on the islands, is quite mild. The influence of the monsoons makes it warm and humid. The only exception is the island of Hokkaido, the northernmost of the four largest islands of the Japanese archipelago. Snow falls on it in winter and sometimes lies for quite a long time.

In central and southern Japan, temperatures even in winter rarely fall below zero. And even if snow falls, it melts immediately. In summer, the temperature reaches 28 - 30 degrees Celsius. In combination with high humidity It gets pretty stuffy.

And another significant factor influenced the housing of the Japanese. The Japanese islands are located in a very active tectonic zone. The oceanic plate is creeping under the continental plate just in the area of ​​the Japanese archipelago. Therefore, earthquakes and destruction are frequent here.

It was under such conditions that the mink appeared. He met all the listed requirements of the main resident of Japan - the peasant and artisan. It's not very cold in winter - you don't need much heating. It's stuffy in summer - you need to ventilate often.

The materials needed for construction are minimal and not very expensive, of local origin. If destroyed by an earthquake, the house can be easily rebuilt. In the end, the mink's house appeared. Like, it corresponded to the conditions of the surrounding nature.

How a Japanese home works - minka

The main material and frame of the house is made of wood. Japan is a mountainous country and the mountain slopes are often covered with forests. In fact, mountains occupy most of Japan's territory. People only had the coast and river valleys for housing.

The walls of Minka houses are essentially a light frame. Between vertically installed tree trunks or bars, the space is filled very conditionally. Blind walls occupy only a small surface area. They are often filled with woven branches, reeds, bamboo, grass and coated with clay.

Most of the walls are open space, which can be covered with sliding or removable panels. It turns out that in the summer the Japanese live on open nature. At the same time, we, residents of more severe climatic zones, it seems very strange to live with practically no walls.

The floor in the main part of the house was raised above the ground by about half a meter. This is necessary in order to ventilate it, saving it from rotting. Since the house is being built without a foundation, it can be flooded by melt or rainwater if it is too close to the ground.

Inside, the main part of a Japanese house is not divided into rooms at all. This is one big room. Which, however, can be divided into different zones by the same movable partitions or screens. There is almost no furniture in a Japanese house. Please tell me where to put it? To Wall? But there are no walls as such.

To dine, they sat in front of small tables directly on the floor, on which futons had previously been laid. A futon is a mattress. They slept on them at night. And for the day they moved behind the screens. Movable partitions and screens were covered with rice paper or silk.

But food was prepared in a separate part of the house. There was no floor here. Or rather, it was earthen or clay. A clay oven was built on it. They cooked food on it.

There might not have been any windows in the house at all. And the light penetrated through translucent screens or partitions. Or simply through the open part of the wall, if it was summer.

The roof was covered with grass, straw or reeds. And in order for water to drain from it faster and not lead to rotting, it was made very steep. The tilt angle reached 60 degrees.

Minka house and its significance in Japan

Living in a traditional Japanese minka house is a unique philosophy of unity with nature. In fact, the people who lived in such a dwelling lived in nature, only slightly fenced off from it.