Tatami mats, ikebana, hanging scrolls, and many other items of Japanese interior decoration have such strong personalities that their mere presence can define a room’s style. Given their distinctiveness, one might think these items are incompatible with Western-style living spaces. Indeed, if Japanese items are haphazardly incorporated into a Western interior, the overall balance can be disrupted. However, by understanding the characteristics of each item’s material and original purpose, skillful interior coordination is possible. These items can accentuate the tranquility and exotic flavor of your home in ways other decor items cannot. Thus, coordinating Japanese-derived interior decoration items with Western-style interiors is a unique and rewarding challenge.

Today, we’ve selected 10 Japanese interior decorating items that are particularly easy to incorporate into Western-style spaces. We hope these choices will inspire and support those interested in blending these styles.

INDEX

• Shoji Screens
• Futon
• Bonsai Trees
• Ikebana Arrangements
• Zaisu Chairs
• Washi Paper Lamps
• Tansu Chests
• Kakejiku
• Noren Curtains
• Tatami Mats
• Conclusion

 

A shoji is a beautiful panel fixture made of natural materials like washi paper in a wooden frame. Its prototype, the yarido, dates back to the Heian period. The highly permeable washi paper allows shoji to serve as a partition while providing excellent lighting. Typically used as sliding doors in Japanese houses, they require grooves to implement, making it challenging to incorporate them into Western-style homes without such features. However, there are divider-type shoji screens that don’t need grooves, so we recommend starting with these in your interior design.

Futons are widely used bedding in Japan, consisting of a mattress to lie on and a quilt to cover yourself with. They can be folded for storage when not in use, making them perfect for minimalist interior spaces. You can use them on top of a bed, but to fully benefit from their storage potential, we strongly recommend laying them on a tatami mat (discussed below). It’s important to note that while “futon” sometimes refers to a sofa bed in English-speaking countries, the futon mentioned here is the traditional Japanese bedding.

Bonsai differs from typical ornamental plants because it aims to capture the essence of a large tree, like a pine, within the confines of a flowerpot. This art form was brought to Japan from China around the Nara period (710-794). Maintaining a bonsai requires frequent pruning and securing branches with wire, often demanding more time and effort than a regular houseplant. However, the result is a truly unique piece that will surely become a distinctive accent in your interior. Bonsai includes a variety of trees, such as persimmons and other fruit-bearing species, plum and cherry trees for their blossoms, and maple trees for their beautiful foliage. Choosing a bonsai that fits your preferred interior design can add a special touch to your home.

Ikebana is a floral arrangement art that originated in the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and the Edo period (1603-1868), deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics. Today, it has evolved into many different schools, each with its own style, and is characterized by its spiritual-seeking aspect. One of its key principles is to select flowers that evoke a sense of the season for the viewer. Therefore, a floral arrangement that is considered beautiful in Japan might not have the same effect in your local environment. To stay true to the spirit of ikebana, I believe it is essential to incorporate local materials when selecting flowers.

When it comes to creating arrangements, adopting methods aligned with Japanese aesthetics, such as minimalism and asymmetry, can bring a unique accent to your interior. Additionally, we recommend using Japanese-style ceramics for vases to enhance the authenticity and beauty of your ikebana arrangements.

One of the unique aspects of Japanese lifestyle habits compared to the West is the custom of sitting on the floor indoors. This gave rise to distinctive Japanese sitting styles such as agura and seiza, as well as the culture of tatami mats and zabuton cushions, which were created for added comfort when sitting on the floor. Another item born from this “floor sitting culture” is the zaisu, a chair without legs designed to alleviate the discomfort of sitting seiza-style for long periods.

Zaisu is also an excellent companion to the kotatsu, a unique Japanese heating system. Although introducing a kotatsu might seem challenging due to its space-consuming design, it’s worth exploring if you’re interested. As mentioned, the zaisu is designed for sitting directly on the floor, so it may not be suitable for living environments where shoes are typically worn indoors. However, with the growing trend of removing shoes indoors in the U.S., introducing a zaisu could be a delightful addition to your home.

It is widely known that “AKARI,” an interior lighting piece by Isamu Noguchi, which remains popular today, was inspired by chochin (specifically, Gifu lanterns). These lights use Japanese paper and bamboo, both sustainable materials, making them increasingly relevant in today’s eco-conscious world. Created by the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, AKARI is an excellent choice for incorporating Japanese-inspired items into Western-style interiors. However, it’s important to note that traditional Japanese lanterns are often designed for outdoor use, so they might not always fit seamlessly into indoor lighting schemes.

Tansu is wooden furniture originally made for storing clothes and tools, and it became popular in Japan during the Edo period. The main woods used are paulownia, a high-grade material, as well as cedar, cherry, zelkova, and oak. There is a wide variety of tansu, depending on what is to be stored, but the easiest to introduce in a Western-style interior would be a tansu for clothing. The main feature of a tansu is its drawers, which allow you to store more clothes without taking up much vertical space. This also helps create a sense of openness at the top. Combined with its distinctive design, a tansu can be very effective in creating a Japanese-style atmosphere in your home.

A kakejiku (hanging scroll) is a traditional item used to enjoy calligraphy and oriental paintings indoors. Originally intended as religious paintings to promote Buddhism, kakejiku motifs have become more diverse over time, including landscapes, flowers, other plants, and brush strokes. During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Sen no Rikyu emphasized the importance of kakejiku in tea ceremony rooms to create a formal atmosphere, leading to their widespread popularity.

In Japanese homes, kakejiku are often displayed in a tokonoma, a special alcove with a step higher than the floor. While creating a tokonoma in a Western-style home might not be realistic, you can easily start by hanging a kakejiku like a regular painting. However, the content and context of the kakejiku’s motif are important to consider, as they convey different messages and are used in various situations. Understanding these nuances will help you select a hanging scroll that complements your interior design.

Noren is a versatile cloth used to shade the sun and partition spaces. In Japan, it’s commonly seen at store entrances with the store’s name written on it, but it’s also used indoors to softly divide rooms. Indoors, noren is well-known for marking the entrances of Japanese bathhouses, separating men’s and women’s areas.

If you’re considering adding noren to your interior design, we recommend starting with monochromatic linen or other fabrics rather than distinctive Japanese patterns. This approach can help you seamlessly integrate noren into your space. Various types of curtains are on display here. Please check them out if you like.

Lastly, let us introduce Tatami mats—an integral part of Japanese culture, perfect for indoor sitting since the Nara period (710-794), as described in this article. Traditionally, tatami is revered for its use of natural materials, excellent ventilation, and its serene ambiance. While beloved by many overseas enthusiasts, traditional tatami posed challenges due to its fixed dimensions during installation, often a limitation during house construction.

However, modern Tatami mats have revolutionized this concept. They retain the functionality and aesthetic appeal of traditional tatami while offering the flexibility of a rug. Now, you can easily place them wherever you desire a peaceful retreat. With a wide range of colors and textures, they seamlessly blend with Western-style interiors.

At Interra USA, we proudly offer a diverse selection of compatible tatami mats that cater to your unique preferences. Explore our collection and discover how Tatami mats can elevate your space.

In this issue, we’ve showcased 10 Japanese-style interior items that harmonize beautifully with Western-style decor through a touch of creativity. Did anything catch your eye? These items are versatile enough to complement any interior design, but they’re particularly well-suited for the Japandi Style we explored in our previous article.

Most of these items are crafted from natural materials and embody a minimalist ethos, free from unnecessary embellishments. This simplicity makes them a perfect fit for Japandi Style, which values such principles.

That wraps up this article. Stay tuned for our next installment, where we’ve prepared something special for all interior design enthusiasts to enjoy!

 

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Ikebana: Japanese Art of Flower Arrangement | Bouqs Blog
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日本と世界の「座る」歴史｜健康の雑学｜元気通信｜養命酒製造株式会社
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イサムノグチの照明 AKARI（あかり）| 照明の通販はマルゲリータ
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