- Size: 18.5 (L) x 10 (W) cm
- Binding: hardcover, 113 pages
- Language: English
- Author: MK Shankar
- Publisher: Formasia Books Ltd, 2003
As the cities grew, the ever inward-looking Japanese retreated to worlds within worlds, transforming their homes into sanctuaries of retreat. Centuries of subjection to earthquake, typhoon and fire obliged the Japanese to live lightly but exquisitely, with few but superbly crafted tansus (furnishings) often serving secondary functions. Folding screens and sliding rice-paper doors enclosed jewelled temples of the inner self.