Audiobook Morse, Edward Sylvester Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings

The book presents a detailed architectural and ethnological study of Japanese domestic dwellings, examining everything from foundation methods to intricate interior arrangements. The author describes the basic framework of the house, which rests on uncut stones without being rigidly attached to the ground, allowing structures to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. Different types of roofs are examined, including shingled, tiled, and heavily thatched varieties, with particular attention given to the diverse and artistic treatment of ridges across various provinces. The interior organization of the house is analyzed through its movable partitions, straw-matted floors, and specific decorative recesses such as the tokonoma and chigai-dana. The work also covers outbuildings like fire-proof storehouses known as kura, interior details such as kitchens, baths, and stairways, and the surrounding gardens, fences, and gateways. Throughout the study, the author compares Japanese building practices with those of Western nations, emphasizing the adaptation of the dwelling to the climate, habits, and aesthetic sensibilities of the people.