Engawa

Engawa (Japanese縁 侧/掾 侧) is the wooden balcony in traditional houses in Japan.

Introduction

The Engawa located between lined with tatami mats and living rooms to the house belonging garden. It is usually located on the interior level (in exceptional cases, one level lower ), is covered and has no railings. Separation from the interior is via sliding doors, called ( Shoji ). From an architectural point of view it should be a conscious intermediate zone and therefore can not be attributed to the inner nor the outer space. Since the Engawa is always covered, this zone is to protect from civil engineering perspective, the sensitive sliding against driving rain and preserve the interior from strong sunlight in summer. The step into the garden only via a specially designed large stone. Moreover, it is strictly forbidden in Japanese culture to enter the Engawa with street shoes.

In the execution of Engawa can be made between four types:

• Kure -en (榑 縁): the floor - boards of Engawa run parallel to the building wall and are blended together at the corners at a 45 ° angle
• Kirime -en (切 目 縁): the floor - boards of Engawa at right angle to the building wall and are therefore relatively short
• Takesunoko -en (竹簀 の 子縁): the floor - boards of Engawa are bamboo tubes that run parallel to the building wall
• Nure -en (濡 縁): the Engawa is not on the interior level, but a step deeper, between garden and interior

Gallery

Engawa in kirime -en (切 目 縁) execution