Japanese Home & Interior Culture

: Tatami: The Living Surface That Shapes Japanese Space

Tatami is not just traditional Japanese flooring. It is the surface that defines how space is lived. In Japanese homes, rooms are not organized around furniture but around the floor itself. Tatami shapes posture, movement, room size, and even social behavior. To understand tatami is to understand how Japanese interior space works from the ground up. Part of the Japanese Home & Interior Culture cluster. What Is Tatami? Tatami is a traditional Japanese flooring material made from woven rush (igusa) over a compressed core. But more importantly, it functions as a living surface rather than a decorative layer. In ...

: Fusuma vs Shoji: The Sliding Doors That Shape Japanese Homes

Fusuma and shoji are not just “Japanese sliding doors.” They are flexible boundaries. In many Japanese homes, space is shaped less by solid walls and more by partitions and light. Fusuma shape space and privacy, while shoji shape light and atmosphere. Understanding the difference reveals a deeper philosophy of living—one that values adaptable rooms, gentle separation, and a quiet relationship with nature. Part of the Japanese Home & Interior Culture cluster. What Makes Japanese Sliding Doors Different? Unlike Western hinged doors, traditional Japanese interiors often use sliding doors that move quietly along tracks. The key difference is philosophical: ...