"Dining with kindred spirits" sounds like an invitation Jack. How do we know if it includes us/me?

INK, You don't have to put on a wig and do Ethel Merman! (tho' you can if you want to) - I simply meant people who don't object to sitting on the floor.
My home is open to all peace-loving souls :)

Thanks for sharing your vision, asuka...your dream reminds me of my own...wide plank floors, exposed beams, wide covered porches, tatami rooms, zabutons and zafus.

sabi

Sabi, then you are a kindred spirit :) - I too have never found any other type of domestic architecture as appealing. It's always had a profoundly soothing effect on me

Jack

Well done Jack, is that a remote on the coffee table for all your toys????????? :) I am afraid after dinner and saki we may need an end loader to get me up if I were a guest. Chuckling We can all tell you really aren't that old, no lazy boy to be seen anywhere. All kidding aside, there is a wonderous beauty in simplicity and I do believe you have captured it.

Cheers June

Thanks June.. heh heh ..maybe I shoul have a block and tackle installed above the dining area to winch arthritic guests to their feet or maybe just drag them on their butts, away from the table - in a dignified way of course :))

Jack

Oh butt of course!;)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Cheers June

My question is how do you get the family to buy into this style of architecture/life without them having spent quality time in Japan?

I don't think that's possible,Don. For a 'family' situation, the only compromise I would suggest is creating a Japanese annexe in whatever form appeals - either a tatami room facing a small garden or if space allows, a tea house complete with roji at the back of the property - to name a couple of examples

This type of dwelling would be much too restrictive, severe and unrealistic for a family, particularly with small children. .. who aren't accustomed to removing shoes
- let alone punching holes through the shoji - or worse, drowning in the koi pond (Yikes)

jack