Shoin-zukuri
From top to bottom:Tōgu-dō atGinkaku-ji, insideShokin-tei atKatsura Imperial Villa
Years active	14th century–19th century
Location	Japan
Influences	Shinden-zukuri

Shoin-zukuri (Japanese:書院造; 'study room architecture') is a style ofJapanese architecture developed in theMuromachi,Azuchi–Momoyama andEdo periods that forms the basis of today's traditional-style Japanese houses. Characteristics of theshoin-zukuri development were the incorporation of square posts andwashitsu floors, i.e. those completely covered withtatami.^[1] The style takes its name from theshoin, a term that originally meant a study and a place for lectures onsutras in a temple, but which later came to mean just a drawing room or study.^[2]

The foundations for the design of today's traditional Japanese residential houses with tatami floors were established in the lateMuromachi period (approximately 1338 to 1573)^[4] and refined during the ensuingMomoyama period.^[5][6]Shoin-zukuri, a new architectural style influenced byZenBuddhism, developed during that time from theshinden-zukuri of the earlierHeian period's palaces and the subsequent residential style favored by the warrior class during theKamakura period.^[5][7][8] The termshoin (書院), meaningstudy ordrawing room has been used to denote reception rooms in residences of the military elite as well as study rooms at monasteries.^[5][9] Ashoin has acore area surrounded byaisles and smaller areas separated byfusuma sliding doors, orshōji partitions constructed of paper on a wooden frame or wooden equivalents,mairado (舞良戸) andsugido (杉戸).^[7]

The main reception room is characterized by specific features: a recessed alcove (tokonoma), staggered shelves, built-in desks, and ornate sliding doors.^[5][7] Generally the reception room is covered with wall-to-walltatami and has squarebeveled pillars, acoved orcoffered ceiling, and wooden shutters to protect the area from rain (雨戸,amado).^[5][7] The entrance hall (genkan) emerged as an element of residential architecture during the Momoyama period.^[7] The oldest extantshoin style building is the Tōgu-dō atGinkaku-ji dating from 1485. Other representative examples of earlyshoin style, also calledshuden, include two guest halls atMii-dera.^[10] In the earlyEdo period,shoin-zukuri reached its peak and spread beyond the residences of the military elite.^[6] The more formalshoin-style of this period is apparent in the characteristics of Ninomaru Palace atNijō Castle as well as theshoin atNishi Hongan-ji (see photos above).^[6][11]

Conrad Totman argues that the development of theshoin-zukuri style was linked to a scarcity of wood caused by excessivedeforestation, which prompted the use of lower-quality, more abundant material. As larger, straight-grained trees became less available, "elegant wooden flooring gave way to crude wooden under-flooring that was concealed beneathtatami." Likewise, sliding wooden doors were replaced withfusuma, a lightweight combination of "stiff fabric or cardboard-like material pasted onto a frame made of slender wooden sticks," andshōji sliding panels served as a substitute for more elaborate paneled wooden doors.^[12]

The simpler style used in the architecture oftea houses for thetea ceremony developed in parallel withshoin-zukuri. In the 16th centurySen no Rikyū established dedicated "grass hut" (草庵,sōan) style teahouses characterized by their small size of typically two to eight tatami, the use of natural materials, and rustic appearance.^[13] This teahouse style, exemplified by the Joan and Taian teahouses, was influenced by Japanese farmhouse style and theshoin style^[14] featuring tatami matted floors, recessed alcoves (tokonoma) and one or more ante chambers for preparations.^[14]

By the beginning of theEdo period, the features of theshoin and teahouse styles began to blend.^[15] The result was an informal version of theshoin style calledsukiya-zukuri (数寄屋造).^[16][17] Thesukiya-zukuri style has a characteristic decorative alcove and shelf, and utilizes woods such as cedar, pine, hemlock, bamboo, andcypress, often with rough surfaces including the bark.^[17] Compared to those in theshoin style, roof eaves in thesukiya style bend downward.^[16] While theshoin style was suitable for ceremonial architecture, it became too imposing for residential buildings. Consequently, the less formalsukiya style was used for mansions for the aristocracy and samurai after the beginning of the Edo period.^[17][18]

• List of National Treasures of Japan (residences)
• List of architectural styles

• Nishi, Kazuo; Hozumi, Kazuo (1996) [1983].What is Japanese architecture? (illustrated ed.). Kodansha International.ISBN 4-7700-1992-0. Retrieved2009-11-11.
• Young, David; Young, Michiko (2007) [2004].The art of Japanese architecture. Architecture and Interior Design (illustrated, revised ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 978-0-8048-3838-2. Retrieved2009-11-11.
• Young, David; Young, Michiko Kimura; Yew, Tan Hong (2004).Introduction to Japanese architecture. Periplus Asian architecture (illustrated ed.). Tuttle Publishing.ISBN 0-7946-0100-6. Retrieved2010-01-11.

• House styles
• Japanese architectural styles
• Buddhism in the Muromachi period
• Buddhism in the Azuchi–Momoyama period

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• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata