Oshiire

{{Short description|Japanese furniture}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}} {{Use Canadian English|date=March 2024}} {{use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} thumb|right|An {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}}, in which folded futons can be seen. An {{nihongo||押入れ, おしいれ|'''oshiire'''}} is a traditional Japanese closet. Its doors generally slide open. It was originally used to store futons during the day to allow full use of the room's floorspace.

==Origin and description== The term "{{transliteration|ja|oshi-ire}}" comes from two verbs, "{{transliteration|ja|osu}}", meaning "to push", and "{{transliteration|ja|ireru}}", meaning "to put inside".<ref>{{cite web |title=Bedding Closet: Oshiire |url=https://nihongo.as.ua.edu/oshiire.htm |access-date=17 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212201734/http://nihongo.as.ua.edu/oshiire.htm |archive-date=12 February 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{transliteration|ja|Oshiire}} are of relatively recent origin, as they only gradually appeared during the second half of the Edo period. Previously, most Japanese people slept on hard surfaces, gathering in the smallest room of traditional houses of the time, the "{{transliteration|ja|nando}}," to keep warm. Straw was placed on the floor for comfort, and when the temperature was uncomfortably cold, people would sleep in straw sacks.<ref name=Hanley46>{{cite book |last1=Hanley |first1=Susan B. |title=Everyday Things in Premodern Japan: The Hidden Legacy of Material Culture |date=28 April 2023 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-92267-9 |page=46 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2IdHzbfwMpYC&dq=Oshiire+japan+futon&pg=PA46 |access-date=17 March 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

Bedding then developed thanks to cotton, the use of which became widespread in the 17th century. It was at this time that the need arose for greater storage space within the house itself, at least for those who could afford it.<ref name=Hanley46 />

Considering their role in storing futons and bedding, {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}} are very large, much larger than Western closets, which are primarily used for clothing. In general, an {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}} is closed by {{transliteration|ja|fusuma}} (sliding doors). In principle, an {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}} is the size of a {{transliteration|ja|tatami}} mat and is divided horizontally in two across the middle.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

==Usage== {{transliteration|ja|Oshiire}} are found in {{transliteration|ja|washitsu}} (rooms with Japanese-style furnishings) as futons are not typically used in Western-style rooms.

Furthermore, it is not customary in Japan to leave bedding in the room during the day, therefore the futon is usually laid outside to dry and then stored in the {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}}. To store it, the futon is folded into thirds. Once the bedding is stored, the room can be used for other purposes, such as entertaining friends, dining, or watching television.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}

In addition to the futon, the {{transliteration|ja|oshiire}} is also used to store {{transliteration|ja|makura}} (pillows), sheets, blankets, and {{transliteration|ja|zabuton}} (sitting cushions).<ref>{{cite web |title=Kiyoko's Story {{!}} Japanese House Exhibit {{!}} Boston Children's Museum |url=https://japanesehouse.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/sites/default/files/kiyoko/index.html |website=japanesehouse.bostonchildrensmuseum.org |access-date=17 March 2024}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Japanese home