Japanese home decorating is a truly unique style of home decoration. Traditions and the cult of beauty are deeply rooted in the Japanese culture and mentality.
Decorating your home Japanese style is much more than using paper screen and tiny trees (bonsai trees). Calligraphy, ikebana (flower arranging), flower buds contemplation, tea ceremony, art of conversation, etc., everything is an art form. Of course, home decorating is self-evident in this cult of beauty and art.
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“Wabi Sabi” a fundamental Japanese concept
We cannot talk about art and aesthetics Japanese if we do not understand the significance of this ancient Japanese concept that is “Wabi Sabi”.
It is quite difficult, if not impossible to exactly, translate the meaning of these words, without understanding the soul and culture of this amazing nation. A rough translation of this concept might be “an embodiment of beauty in imperfection and impermanence of life”.
But, it can be understood also, as “wisdom in its natural simplicity”.
However, you could write an entire tome on the meaning of these two words, but one thing is clear out. Japanese look for beauty in all that surrounds him even though it is ephemeral.
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The uniqueness of Japanese decoration style
Uniqueness of Japanese home decoration lies in simplicity and balance, as well as emphasis on airy open spaces. Of course this concept is largely opposed to the Western concept that prefer a luxury decorating design, expensive furniture, comfortable sofas, modern appliances, statues and paintings.
However, this does not mean that Japanese style is less attractive than western style. In contrast, Japanese style is distinguished by refinement and elegance. Japanese style is unique in its beauty.
Japanese “furniture”
I am not convinced that we can talk about Japanese style furniture, at least in the meaning of the word furniture. In fact, when entering a Japanese home you will notice the small amount of furniture. All the furniture is confined to a few pieces of strict necessities.
1. Kotatsu: The focal point of a Japanese room is “kotatsu”. “Kotatsu” is a large and very low table that has a heater underneath. For Japanese people “kotatsu” is like dining room for us.
“Kotatsu” is where they spend the most beautiful moments of their lives with family and friends, drinking their tea, eating and talking.
2. Tatami: “Tatami” is woven straw mats and many Japanese rooms have several of them.
3. Japanese Futon: Japanese futon is somehow different from its Western counterpart. It has no frame and the mattress is much thinner than our mattress. Similar is that they can be used both as sofas.
4. Tansu: “Tansu” is probably the only apart piece of Japanese furniture. It is a piece of furniture with drawers and sliding doors equipped with bars. Tantsu’s characteristic is the large number of compartments. Japanese people use these “closets” to hang up their cloths.
5. Shoji: I do not think we can talk about the Japanese furniture without mentioning these wonderful paper screens. They are true art works and they are adorned with various art prints.
6. Norens: “Norens” replace doors in Japanese houses and in fact, they are simple doorway curtains, made from cotton. They are adorned with beautiful silk-screened prints.
7. Sudare: “Sudare” are a beautiful kind of bamboo blinds that can protect different parts of a room creating the necessary privacy.
Japanese lighting
Lighting is given by large paper lanterns that create different light areas in the room, moving from intimate to a bright lighting.
Japanese accessories
I do not think that there may be a style of decoration without using accessories, and in this sense, Japanese style is no exception.
Ikebana, or flower arrangements are an art and it is studying in schools. Figurines are also used. On the walls, instead paintings we can find old scrolls with calligraphy or plates painted in vivid colors.
