Shōji

Japanese room with sliding shōji doors and tatami flooring

In traditional Japanese architecture, a shōji (障子^?) is a door, window or room divider consisting of translucent paper over a frame of wood which holds together a lattice of wood or bamboo. While washi is the traditional paper, shōji may be made of paper made by modern manufacturing processes; plastic is also in use.

Function [edit]

Shōji doors are often designed to slide open, and thus conserve space that would be required by a swinging door.

They are used in traditional houses as well as Western-style housing, especially in the washitsu (Japanese-style room). In modern construction, the shōji does not form the exterior surface of the building; it sits inside a sliding glass door or window.

Etymology [edit]

Formerly the word shōji could apply to both fusuma and shōji although with a formal distinction of "karagami shōji" 唐紙障子(fusuma) and "akari shōji" 明り障子(shōji).

See also [edit]

• Higashiyama Bunka in Muromachi period

References [edit]

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shōji

• Sukiya Living Magazine article about shōji screens
• Shōji at JAANUS (Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System)

v t e Elements of Japanese architecture Styles Buddhist Buke Daibutsuyō Gassho Giyōfū Hachiman Hirairi Hiyoshi (also called Hie) Irimoya Ishi-no-ma Kasuga Kibitsu Nagare Ōbaku Zen Setchūyō Shinden Shinmei Shinto Shoin Sukiya Sumiyoshi Taisha Wayō Zenshūyō A model of Himeji Castle Building types Butsuden Castle Chashitsu Dō Haiden Heiden Hokora Hōkyōintō Kura Kyōzō Machiya Main Hall Minka Setsumatsusha Shōrō Tahōtō Tō Yagura Roof styles Hidden roof Irimoya Karahafu Structural Burdock piling Chigi Disordered piling Engawa Fusuma Hisashi Irimoya-zukuri Irori Jinmaku Katōmado Katsuogi Kuruwa Mokoshi Moya Nakazonae Namako wall Nightingale floor Onigawara Ranma Shōji (see also washi) Sōrin Tamagaki Tatami Tokonoma Tokyō Tsumairi Shibi Gates and approaches Genkan Kairō Karamon Mon Nijūmon Niōmon Rōmon Sandō Sanmon Sōmon Torii (Mihashira) Rooms Chashitsu Daidokoro Mizuya Shoin Toilets Washitsu Furnishings Butsudan Byōbu Chabudai Emakimono Furo Futon Getabako Kaidan dansu Kamado Kamidana Kichō Kotatsu Misu Noren Sudare Tamaya Tansu Zabuton Zafu Outdoor objects Chōzuya/Temizuya Ishigantō Komainu Tōrō Measurements Ken Koku Ri Shaku Sun Groups Architectural Institute of Japan Japan Institute of Architects Metabolist Movement See also Groups of Traditional Buildings Iki Japanese garden (zen) National Treasures (castles residences shrines temples) Ryokan Sentō Wabi-sabi Yabo

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