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Japanese Style

© Madhavi Sudarsan

Japanese design is admired universally for its simplicity and flexibility. The pure shapes, clean lines and uncluttered spaces reflect highly disciplined aesthetics. Unlike with westerners, the Japanese concept of beauty lies in asymmetry. For them, symmetry is stagnant and asymmetry is creative. In asymmetry the balance between left and right is altered to create a dynamic beauty.

Conserving the mores of the past is an essential part of modern Japanese life. Taking off one's shoes before going indoors remains a universal Japanese tradition. Ritual baths, futons for sleeping, low tables for eating and tatami-covered floors for sitting also speak of the endurance of traditions.

The aim of the Japanese interior essentially remains Space Management. Due to high real estate prices and a dense population, many generations live under one roof. However, this does not compromise privacy or quality of life.

In both traditional and modern houses, the interior is practically without walls. Shoji screens, sliding panels and curtains define spaces. These translucent room dividers give the living space a wonderful versatility by providing an effortless and tasteful way of altering the size and the shape of the room.

In the western houses, rooms have specific functions, while in the Japanese house, rooms are multifunctional. For example a living room by day can serve as a bedroom by night. This kind of flexible environment requires flexible furnishing.

Japanese can live without much furniture. Whatever furniture they have is usually low and angular with texture, finish and natural elements emphasized. This makes Japanese furniture suitable even for the modern times. No Japanese house can be complete without the following items:

Tansu: Tansu, which means "chest," refers to sophisticated, mobile cabinets originally crafted for a variety of purposes. Tansu is a stackable unit that grows with the family. To the Japanese, with their reverence for space and respect for the beauty of materials, Tansu represents all their cultural values: simplicity, balance, utility and durability.

Futon: These are cotton-filled mattresses that can be rolled away to make space. They are used at night time to sleep on. During the day they are stored in the closets.

Tatami mats: Tatami comes from the Japanese word "Tatamo" which means to fold up. Usually these mats are used as floor coverings. Pillows provide quick sitting on these mats.

Shoji screens: These sliding screens are very popular even in modern Japan. (Shoji is a glass of Japan.) Their main function is to offer privacy and diffused light. They are made from wood lattice and rice paper. Since paper is breathable, it provides adequate ventilation. Sometimes they have small glass inserts situated low to provide a view to people seating on the floor.

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