In the United States, the big houses like to say, “Hi, I’m Big. Look at me. Love me, love my foyer.” In Japan, many houses like to say, “Come on, you know you want to come in. Dream on.” In certain parts of Tokyo, relatively small lots can cost millions of dollars, which makes for mighty expensive dirt, with perhaps enough money left over after purchase to create a charming vegetable plot or to pitch a tent. Even on larger lots, with the luxury of having some growing green things on the property, there is a definite sense of understatedness, of intrigue, of quiet. My theory, and I have many theories on the ways and whys of homes in Japan, is that the day-to-day life in such a crowded city makes people crave privacy and personal space even in a relatively crowded neighborhood. All the more reason here to make as much of a barrier between you and the outside world as possible, at home. Think about having streets that are so narrow that sidewalks are nonexistent, and rear view mirrors on cars need to be flipped shut so as not to scrape another car or wall.
I was so inspired recently by Alex’s series of photographs of windows, that I started thinking a lot about the walls that go up around the majority of homes that have the kind of outer space to make that practical. Our home literally has no exterior space, as we are dumped onto the sidewalk the second we step out the door. Yet there is a wall around our house. Americans love the charm of the picket fence, and the Japanese love the charm of…walls. Yes, walls. I admit they have grown on me. Some walls have holes, and give glimpses into what I call “secret gardens” inside. Other homes have the requisite wall, with a gate to get a car in and out, plus what I have come to call the Hobbit door.
Literally, it is a door that is not human sized. I have seen a regular height door right next to one of these hobbit doors, too. Which makes me wonder if certain people are allowed to use the big door, and lesser mortals (hobbits?) must use the hobbit door. Personally, my goal is to visit a home with a hobbit door some day, and most definitely use the hobbit door. Please don’t laugh at me, but the attraction is intense.
It all comes back to the subtleties of home and what I see as a heightened awareness of surroundings, situations, and seasons in Japan. More ideas for another day.
I will leave you with two new-to-me blogs that flew past me this week on a light spring breeze. Grosgrain makes the clothes that I wish I had made, or could make. The colors and details are classic and so notice-me pretty. Portabellopixie is Sandi Henderson’s creation, filled with pretty pictures, pretty fabric, and shirring and ruffle pillow tutorials. Did someone say shirring and ruffles? Come on, sun!
