Sight words: Shoin 

A foreign traveler asked on one occasion "What is Shoin (書院) ?" We were looking at an information board of a historical building. In the building there was several "Shoin" room. One "Shoin" room looked like a reception room wide enough, where many people seemed to gather there. Another "Shoin" room looked like a neat Japanese room that was consisted with 2 small tatami-rooms. If I were the owner, I would use this one as "den" or "tea ceremony room."

I couldn't explain the difference of the same name rooms, so, I searched a description paper of the building. The former example is explained as "space for official audiences." The latter example is explained as "soothing space." Then, why these quite different rooms were named same name, "Shoin (書院)" ?

Because "Shoin (書院)" was a style. There was no functional meaning in the name of the room. If the style meets the requirements, the room can be called "Shoin (書院)." However, how these rooms were called was according to the owner's opinion or somebody's decision. 

"Shoin (書院)" is the room with "Alcove for display (床の間), Staggered shelves (違い棚), Writing stall (付書院), Ornamental doors (帳台構)." I don't know the exact definition, but, if there isn't "Alcove (床の間)," the room wouldn't be called "Shoin (書院)." Other decorative parts aren't necessary, I suppose. If "Shoin (書院)" is for official audiences, it will be required to equipt full decorations. But if another "Shoin (書院)" is only for the owner's soothing, minimum decorations will need for the space.

Originally, "Shoin (書院)" was invented by samurai as kind of "den" during the Muromachi (室町) era (about 6 hundreds years ago). This style of the room was developed as personal space especially for high-status people. At that time, samurai's status rose in position, and sometimes his "Shoin (書院)" was used when he decided kind of political decisions. Accordingly, "Shoin (書院)" came to be used as space for official audiences. After the Muromachi era, when the Azuchi-Momoyama era (1573-1598) came, "Shoin (書院)" was initiatively made in the residences of castle lords. "Shoin (書院)" was used as main meeting room or official audience room. Because the wide "Shoin (書院)" equipped full decorations represented the dignity of the castle lords. 

In the sightseeing places all around Japan, there are many historical buildings made during the Azuchi-Momoyama (安土桃山) era or imitations of the buildings at that time. We have many chances to encounter "Shoin (書院)." When you see the word "Shoin (書院)," please remember this small info.