Material Cultures of Domestic Interiors: Japan

Abstract

This article, which draws on historical data and Daniels’ 2003 ethnography in the Kansai region (Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka), focuses on key items of domestic material culture in order to explore the main characteristics of postwar mainstream, Japanese dwellings. The section ‘The Postwar LDK Home’ traces the historical development of the LDK-layout, based on a central, communal living-dining-kitchen (LDK) area with a number of separate rooms, which has become standard in all contemporary homes. The focus is on the reception of two ‘Western’ pieces of furniture, the sofa-set and the dining table, thought to encourage family-centred, chair-based living. The section ‘Tatami Mats, Alcoves, and Aesthetics’ dissects the stereotypes of the minimal Japanese house typified by the following two aesthetic elements: tatami flooring and decorative alcoves. For some, tatami mats convey a certain taste and status linked with Japaneseness, but many tend to use them as efficient, multifunctional tools to combat the reality of cramped living situations. Furthermore, while designated display areas such as alcoves and hallways might adhere to ‘native’ aesthetic rules, spaces of everyday use are generally characterised by an ‘eclectic’ aesthetic consisting of a mixture of souvenirs, commemorative gifts, and handmade objects. The section ‘Stuff and Storage’ pays attention to the excessive volume of goods that have amassed in many homes; growing affluence has led to an increase in the consumption of domestic goods as well as an acceleration of the scale of the gift economy. It discusses both the importance of the availability of storage space and the dialectic relationship between ordering and disposal practices. This leads to the final section ‘Troublesome Goods’ that explores, first, why people feel reluctant to throw away certain domestic goods such as unwanted gifts and lucky charms, and, secondly, how material excess inside the home has also led to a range of innovative divestment practices.