Japanese Interiors

3 Pages 800 Words

Japanese Interiors
I have always been intrigued by Japanese interiors, but never knew much about the actual meaning and function of these spaces until enrolling in this class. Not only am I personally interested; I know that many future clients will share the same interest. Therefore, I wanted to study this topic more in depth so I could use this design in client’s homes in the future.
When studying these interiors, not only did I get to learn about traditional furniture pieces, table presentation, and use of space, but also the means in which they are used. For example, while learning about ceramic ware, I also got to learn about the tea ceremonies in which they are used.
Before this class I had an illusion of Japan. I imagined little Japanese people dressed in their colorful kimonos in their perfect and tidy little rooms in their lovely towns. This of course is only a fantasy. In reality, Japan has to not only deal with the lack of physical space, but just like the Westerners, they deal with the clutter that we see as so necessary. Vacuums, television and stereo equipment make creating a beautiful space challenging.
Understanding this, it made me appreciate the way the Japanese find beauty in unexpected places. In my opinion, they have mastered the art of seeing past the unappealing and bringing out the beauty. They seek out the subtleties rather than the obvious and are enchanted by shadows. Their sense of order and their eye for shape, texture and color in affect made me pay more attention to these details in my own environment.
In class we learned about “green houses” and how shoji screens, although literally paper-thin and even somewhat transparent, was a major source of privacy. We (the west) are accustomed to solid barriers. It amazing me how a simple screen can serve so many purposes. Not only do they provide privacy, they also create space. Simply placing a few shoji screens together may create an entirely ...