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The Japanese islands experience torrential monsoon rains, earthquakes, and typhoons.

The traditional Japanese house from the 16th century featured an elegant roof with wide overhangs to protect against bad weather, and a raised floor to keep out mud. Wooden framing and paper walls allowed for easy rebuilding after an earthquake. With itssliding partitions, this “breathing house” opened on all sides to let in cool, fresh air and to give glimpses of a beautiful garden outside.

Woven Flooring

Tatami, which are mats woven of fine straw, formed the floor of the traditional Japanese house. They continue to be used in some present-day homes. According to Japanese custom, visitors must remove their shoes when they enter any home, even modern ones. This tradition helps keep the house clean and preserves the delicate tatami.

A Flexible Layout

The space inside the traditional house could be divided in many different ways by walls, sliding doors, and portable folding screens. Paintings of landscapes, birds, and flowers often decorated these interior partitions. Moving these partitions could change the arrangement and the number of rooms in a few minutes.

Inside Outside

Walls made of special strong paper mounted on a wooden frame provided privacy while allowing light to enter the house. The sections of the wall could slide easily to either side to allow a view of the garden. This design was especially convenient during the hot Japanese summer, when the house could be completely opened up to catch passing breezes.

Privacy and Shade

Blinds made of reeds bound together in long flat sheets hung from beneath the roof. They could be rolled down to provide shade. Garden walls were made of bamboo, bark, or twigs.

Garden Architecture

The gardens were closely linked to the architecture of houses and temples. They were

often designed to be seen from inside the building. The gardens featured painstakingly

raked gravel, flowering moss, paving stones positioned along a path, ponds where colourful carp swam, pines with twisted shapes, and delicate bridges. Japanese bridges inspired the French Impressionist painter Claude Monet, who had one built in his garden at Giverny and used it in his paintings.