Illumination
Since the primary function of the formal entranceway is to provide an area where shoes may be exchanged for house slippers, and an area for subtle decoration, minimal illumination seems more than adequate. Yet in a home where there may be no custom of removing the shoes upon entering the house, it is better that this be made as easy as possible to understand. For example, part of the entranceway beyond the front door may be floored with stone or laid with carpeting from the place where shoes are to be changed, marked by the shoe cabinet and slip-pers for indoor wear. To further emphasize this special area, a spotlight or a Japanese-style paper lantern may be used with good results. Another spotlight may be used to draw attention to the articles or flower arrangement on display, although here again, a paper lantern creates a lovely Japanese ambience.
Illumination of the garden is also important, especially where the garden is visible from the entranceway. A stone lantern, or a hanging lantern, or a spotlight, either outside or inside, will do very nicely. But in order to best show off the beauty of the garden, the most complementary illumination is created when it is placed at ground level. Whichever form of lighting is used, the brief communion between man and nature will be heightened.
Finishing Touches
ft is very common in Japan for visitors to conduct all of their business in the entranceway. Since family members would not be able to relax for the duration of the visit if the interior of the house were open to view, the line of vision from the en-tranceway to the interior should be blocked off either by a wall, a single-leaf screen, or split curtains.
An excellent way to welcome guests is by burning incense in the entranceway just before they arrive. This tradition has virtually disappeared in Japan today, but in the old days, the aristocracy developed exquisite blends of incense, and these were used to express feelings of joy, grief, love, and affection. Since it is in the formal entranceway that visitors make their first impression of a home, flowers, incense, and a thoughtfully
prepared garden view can be used to show one's hospitality and to share the warmth of a household.
ENTRANCEWAY WITH TATAMI
Cross Section
Plan
Use of tatami in the entranceway provides textural con-tinuity with tatami used in the rest of the house.
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