Not only are traditional Japanese houses strikingly beautiful, but they are also built in a sustainable way that is in harmony with nature. Although these traditional structures are not as prevalent as they once were, there is still a lot we can learn from their ancient building methods and techniques, which many modern buildings continue to use. Let’s explore some of the intelligent sustainable features in old Japanese homes and see how they can influence the way we live today!
Most old Japanese homes are made from locally sourced, natural materials, such as wood, paper, and soil. The beautiful wood used in the roofs and corner beams comes from forests, and the paper used in the sliding shoji (paper screens) is made from Japanese mulberry-tree bark. Traditional tsuchikabe (clay walls), are still used in some Japanese-style rooms even today. Made of natural clay reinforced by bamboo laths, these breathable walls control humidity and provide good sound insulation. All these housing materials are biodegradable and need minimal processing, which reduces emissions and waste.
In your modern home, why not try shoji instead of curtains? These beautiful and quintessentially Japanese interior window screens are ideal for shading your home during the day thanks to their soft translucency. Sunlight is diffused as it passes through them into the room, but the inside of the room remains hidden from the outside, thus maintaining privacy.
Tatami mats are constructed from rice straw, the natural by-product of rice harvesting, which makes it one of the most sustainable flooring materials in the world. The mats have been made the same way for hundreds of years, the rice straw being tightly woven together with cotton string. No chemicals or plastics are needed during production, and no flooring glues or resins are needed when the mats are laid on the floor. This all-natural flooring also controls humidity and traps air, making it soundproof.
Tatami mats work perfectly in rooms with simple decor, especially low furniture, such as futons and short-legged tables. The natural soothing fragrance of the straw is a direct link to nature and creates a calming effect, making it perfect for children's rooms and bedrooms.
Japanese houses are traditionally simple and spare, partly from the historic influence of Zen Buddhism. Edo period (1603-1867) laws also forbade the display of wealth through possessions, leaving traditional Japanese homes simple and tidy.
Accumulating unnecessary material goods is not healthy for you or the environment. Studies show that a neat living space encourages people to be more creative, motivated, and positive, so why not follow the example of traditional Japanese homes and declutter your own home? If you need some help getting started, call on Kurashinity’s trial housekeeping service. Our fluent English-speaking staff are professionally trained in housekeeping and Japanese hospitality and culture, meaning that they know how to tidy, clean, and organize to the highest standards and in line with your preferences.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jessica is a writer and translator now living happily by the sea just south of Tokyo in Kamakura, Japan.
