The Japanese School

When it comes to the Japanese tradition of home decor, the strategy is somewhat different than the Chinese school of thought.  The Japanese idea tends to focus more on spatial matters in decorating rather than objects.  The Japanese use a special room divider to separate form and function in the living space of their house.  This interesting divider is called a "shoji screen."  This screen is made with rice paper;  it also employes vibrant colors which sometimes have unique symbols.  A few types of shoji screens would include the Bamboo Tree shoji screen, the Cherry Blossum shoji screen, and the Geisha shoji screen.  Plus, "light" is a big part of the Japanese style of home decoration.  Lanterns are frequently displayed and used in this style of decor.  The Japanese lantern is like a box.  It symbolizes both strength and substance.  They are often constructed with thin rice paper or from silk.  These important materials allow light to shine through them more effectively.  Therefore, displaying images with them is very common.

One thing that both the Japanese and the Chinese traditions agree on is the use of cherry blossums in interior designs.  In Japan, "sakura" (or cherry tree) is held in very high regard.  During the season when the sakura blossums an annual celebration is held.  This celebration is called "Hanami."  Such a tree as this symbolizes beauty, innocence, and the fragile nature of life itself.  In China the cherry blossum is a celebration of the woman, especially the gift of her precious femininity.  The cherry blossum indicates power, sexuality, love, beauty, and softness.  The Japanese might also concur with these cherry blossum symbols in principal, though not state the connection to virginity in a woman so plainly.  In any case, the Chinese consider this flower to be as delicate and beautiful as a woman herself is.  Therefore, we do indeed some intersection between the Japanese and Chinese school of home decor despite other kinds of distinctions before mentioned.  Both of these schools are definitely Asian designs and very popular.

Harlan Urwiler

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