Or is that a straw door?
This is not quite as strange as it might look. Air condition isn't as popular in Japan as it is in some other places, especially with older folks. Therefore even on the hottest summer days, you will see doors and windows wide open to let the breeze in. That's where this screen comes in. Normally it is hung in front of windows and unrolled about half way or more to block out the morning or evening sun while still letting in the breeze. It's a bit more unusual to see one of the screens propped against a door like this, but it is clearly functioning the same purpose, to block on the sun—maybe to give a little privacy too.
That tree hanging over the entrance way is a common sight at more traditional houses. I've never been able to get a straight answer from anyone on the purpose†, but I imagine it is either considered good luck or is just such a part of tradition that it's unthinkable of having a traditional house without one.
Footnotes:
†: That is to say, no one seems to know the reason.
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Don't miss the other great photos in the Beautiful Japan photo series!
#1–10 — Beautiful Japan, Collection #1
#11–20 — Beautiful Japan, Collection #2
#21–30 — Beautiful Japan, Collection #3
#31–40 — Beautiful Japan, Collection #4
#41–50 — Beautiful Japan, Collection #5
#51 — Remember the Rice Fields Where We Once Played
#52 — Collecting God's Money
#53 — Rice is Done
#54 — Our Secret Place
#55 — Animal Wishes
#56 — Good Day Sunshine
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I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.
| Who is David? | |
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 | David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. |