Japanese traditional house, Shoji

One of the most striking elements of the Japanese house is shoji, the traditional screen. Made from a wooden frame covered by washi (Japanese traditional paper), the shoji can be used as a sliding door or window but also as room divider. An interesting fact is that the washi used for shoji has a thickness calculated so that only a well-defined amount of light can pass through it... The shoji is also perfectly calculated so that it can slide easily.

Besides being a very beautiful interior design element, shoji is also very practical: in small spaces it doesn't occupy the space taken by a hinged door. Plus, if needed, the screens can be removed and stored, so multiple rooms can be easily joined to create a larger space...