Word of the Month - June 2015

June: 簾 (Sudare)

This month's word is Sudare. 

Sudare, or more honorifically, misu, are traditional blinds that are made of thinly shaved strips of wood or bamboo bound together with string, colored yarn, or other material such as silk. Spaces are left between the strips so that air can pass through them and so they can be rolled or folded up easily when not used. Other than in ordinary Japanese houses, sudare or misu are also used in many shrines, palaces, and tea ceremony houses in order to give shelter from sunlight, rain, dust, and insects, or to provide privacy. The production of authentic sudare has been declining, but they are still an essential part of the traditional summer scene in Japan.

References:

Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System: http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/

Samurai Japan: http://www.samurai-japan.biz/\