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lead=yes is a style of Japanese architecture developed in the Muromachi period, Azuchi–Momoyama and Edo period periods that forms the basis of today's traditional-style Japanese houses. Characteristics of the shoin-zukuri development were the incorporation of square posts and washitsu floors, i.e. those completely covered with tatami.Kodansha Encyclopedia of Japan, entry for "shoin-zukuri". The style takes its name from the shoin, a term that originally meant a study and a place for lectures on in a temple, but which later came to mean just a drawing room or study.Iwanami 広辞苑 Japanese dictionary, 6th Edition (2008), DVD version
The main reception room is characterized by specific features: a recessed alcove ( tokonoma), staggered shelves, built-in desks, and ornate sliding doors. Generally the reception room is covered with wall-to-wall tatami and has square beveled pillars, a Coved ceiling or coffered ceiling, and amado. The entrance hall ( genkan) emerged as an element of residential architecture during the Momoyama period. The oldest extant shoin style building is the Tōgu-dō at Ginkaku-ji dating from 1485. Other representative examples of early shoin style, also called shuden, include two guest halls at Mii-dera. In the early Edo period, shoin-zukuri reached its peak and spread beyond the residences of the military elite. The more formal shoin-style of this period is apparent in the characteristics of Ninomaru Palace at Nijō Castle as well as the shoin at Nishi Hongan-ji (see photos above).
Conrad Totman argues that the development of the shoin-zukuri style was linked to a scarcity of wood caused by excessive deforestation, 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 beneath tatami." Likewise, sliding wooden doors were replaced with fusuma, a lightweight combination of "stiff fabric or cardboard-like material pasted onto a frame made of slender wooden sticks," and shōji sliding panels served as a substitute for more elaborate paneled wooden doors. (2025). 9781848851160, I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd. ISBN 9781848851160
The simpler style used in the architecture of chashitsu for the tea ceremony developed in parallel with shoin-zukuri. In the 16th century Sen no Rikyū established dedicated sōan style teahouses characterized by their small size of typically two to eight tatami, the use of natural materials, and rustic appearance. This teahouse style, exemplified by the Joan and Taian teahouses, was influenced by Japanese farmhouse style and the shoin style featuring tatami matted floors, recessed alcoves (tokonoma) and one or more ante chambers for preparations.
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