📖 Shōji, Fusuma, and Engawa: A Foreign Buyer’s Glossary

Buying an akiya means stepping into a world of traditional Japanese architecture—and a vocabulary that may feel like learning another language.

If you’ve browsed listings or toured an old kominka, you’ve probably heard words like shōji, fusuma, and engawa. But what do they actually mean? And why are they important when choosing or renovating a countryside home?

Here’s a simple glossary for foreign buyers to better understand the unique features of traditional Japanese homes.

‍

‍

🪟 Shōji (障子) — Sliding Paper Screens

What they are:
Lightweight sliding doors made of a wooden frame covered with translucent washi paper.

Purpose:

• Diffuse natural light into rooms.
• Create a sense of openness while maintaining privacy.
• Separate rooms flexibly without heavy walls.

Why it matters for buyers:

• Shōji often need repair or re-papering in akiya (cost: ~¥3,000–¥8,000 per panel).
• They are fragile but contribute hugely to the authentic wabi-sabi atmosphere.
• Modern options include acrylic or plastic panels that mimic washi but resist tearing.

🚪 Fusuma (襖) — Sliding Opaque Partitions

What they are:
Heavier sliding doors covered with opaque paper, cloth, or decorative artwork.

Purpose:

• Separate rooms more completely than shōji.
• Act as movable walls to resize interior space.
• Often beautifully painted with traditional landscapes or patterns.

Why it matters for buyers:

• Fusuma give old homes flexibility—you can turn two small rooms into one large living area.
• Restoring them is affordable (~¥5,000–¥12,000 per panel).
• Preserved artwork can increase a home’s cultural and resale value.

🌿 Engawa (縁側) — The Veranda Corridor

What it is:
A narrow wooden walkway running along the outside of a house, typically between the interior rooms and the garden.

Purpose:

• Acts as a transitional space between indoors and outdoors.
• Provides ventilation, natural light, and a place to relax.
• Functions almost like a Japanese version of a porch or sunroom.

Why it matters for buyers:

• An engawa in good condition adds charm and livability to an akiya.
• Rotten wood or insect damage is common but repairable.
• Renovated engawa spaces are highly prized by tourists, digital nomads, and families looking for traditional character.

🧾 Why These Features Matter in Akiya

Together, shōji, fusuma, and engawa create the flowing, flexible lifestyle unique to traditional Japanese houses. For foreign buyers, they’re often the features that make an akiya feel like “real Japan.”

But they also need upkeep:

• Paper screens tear easily.
• Wooden verandas rot if neglected.
• Sliding tracks require cleaning and repair.

Understanding these terms means you’ll know what to look for, what to budget for, and what to preserve when restoring your countryside home.

🧭 Final Thoughts

Buying an akiya isn’t just about four walls and a roof—it’s about experiencing a way of living rooted in harmony, flexibility, and design. By learning words like shōji, fusuma, and engawa, you’re not only becoming a homeowner in Japan—you’re becoming a steward of tradition.

🏡 Want Help Restoring Traditional Features?

At Old Houses Japan, we help foreign buyers understand, restore, and celebrate traditional features like shōji, fusuma, and engawa. Whether you want to preserve the classic look or adapt it for modern living, we’ll guide you through every step.