Why do Japanese people sit on the floor?

Typical Japanese people in Washitsu.

          During my study abroad in Malaysia, the most shocking thing was

“Not taking off their shoes” when a roommate entered my room.This event made me wonder. “Why are Japanese people usually taking off their shoes??”. At the same time, I thought “Why are Japanese people sitting on the floor directly”??. Many of country 

In this article, I am going to mention about the unique Japanese custom of “Sitting on the floor directly.

1.Created unique Japanese architectural style from unique climate of Japan.

          Japanese architectures are rooted in Chinese traditional architecture. Not only architectures,traditional Japanese cultures were influenced Chinese cultures in end of 6 century.After that, Japanese cultures have been created for 1400 years.

         However, we need to focus on the pendant roof of Japanese architectures . The roof of Japanese traditional house is larger than the wall of house. This point is totally different from Chinese architectures, also the reason related to the Japanese climate.

           In terms of geography, Japan is an island and surrounded by the sea. Also,the monsoons result in hotter summer and rain season with much precipitation and high humidity.Then, the country is visited by typhoons in late summer. In the past, the road was not paved. So, we are able to assume the ground was soppy after rained. Please imagine, what if we enter someone’s house with your soppy shoes on?

Inside of someone’s house have to be dirty. They avoid to make people’s house dirty by taking off shoes at entrance of house.

          In addition, the roof became larger to prevent coming rain in their house. On the other hand, inside of room tend to be dark even in daytime due to pendant roof.

This point is necessary to explain the unique Japanese custom that is sitting on the floor directly.

2.Washitsu tends to be dark even in the daytime.

         This photo shows two case of views while standing and sitting.

Standing 

sitting

　      As you can see, sitting on the floor is brighter than standing on the floor.In the past, people didn't have electoronical technology.So they were spending on the time to reading a book, eating foods, talking with people close to the floor to ensure bright space by sitting on the floor directly.

　     Thanks to the unique climate,an exceptional custom was born in this country. As a result,this custom created“Tatami”. Tatami is Japanese floor material.It is comfortable to sit on the floor  compare to sitting on the floor directly because it is made of Igusa rush. 

         This is a one of the reasons that Japanese people live on the floor without shoes. Also, Japanese people are sitting on the floor directly.

However, traditional lifestyles are becoming Westernized in Japan. So,Japanese people tend to choose wood flooring instead of Tatami. Accompany with that, the demand for Tatami is decreasing.

         In this blog, I eager to promote Tatami lifestyle, Attractive points of Igusa.(material of Tatami mat) If you are interested in Tatami, please feel free to ask me!