観光英語―用語解説English

観光って言えば歴史。歴史って言えば用語。書院造りが何かわかんないようじゃ、いくら英語が出来ても観光ガイドはできないわよ。「それ何？」って聞かれて、 I don't know じゃアンタ、しゃれにもなんないわよ。ガイドする前に、ここで、しっかり勉強しとくのよ。ここに載ってないものはどうするかって？それくらい、自分で調べなさいよ。

Explanation in English 日本語版はこっちよ。
Shoin style Buddhist abbot residence style
The Shoin style is developed as a simplified version of the Shinden style (aristocratic residence style) in the Heian Period (794 - 1192). As the aristocrat Fujiwara clan, the defacto ruler of the era, was losing their influence, and warrior lords began to replace them, the Shoin style gained popularity to gradually become a standard architectural style. "Shoin," literally meaning "a study or writing room," referred to a Buddhist abbot's residence, where monks had a calm and humble life worshipping a Buddha image, offering incense, chanting and reading Buddhist scriptures. Outstanding features of the style include a Toko-no-ma or decorative alcove, a Chigai-dana or staggered shelves, a Tsuke-shoin or attached writing alcove, and a Chodai-gamae or decorative doors. Toko-no-ma Monks utilized Toko-no-ma space for hanging a scroll - usually a Buddha image-, offering flower, incense and candle in front of the image. In early times, it was simply called "Toko," "bed or a higher place" in Japanese. Toko-no-ma became an established architectural component in the Muromachi Period (1336 - 1573). Originally, a Toko-no-ma was devised as a seat for a person of higher class. A record says that Toyotomi Hideyoshi was such an arrogant person who didn't hesitate to move for this special seat even in presence of other important people. Only meant for warrior lords, Toko-no-ma's were not built in common people's houses. In later time, prominent merchant and farmer houses began to have one for hospitality purpose for a local feudal lord who visited them. Hosts themselves never used the seat at Toko-no-ma, which was restricted to feudal lords. Chodai-gamae Chodai was the word for "a bed" for high-class people, and Chodai-gamae functioned as doors to the bedroom. But until the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), the function had already died out, and it only served as an interior ornament. It is said that armed guards were on standby hiding behind these doors for a case of emergency, for example, when a shogun's life was in danger, but the authenticity of this story has not been proved. Chigai-dana & Tsuke-shoin Staggered shelves or Chigai-dana were used by monks to keep Buddhist literature and scriptures. A Tsuke-shoin, generally installed beside the window for light, served as a writing table where monks could read or write. As time passed, these interior components as well as Toko-no-ma and Chodai-gamae gradually lost their original function and became mere decorative elements, but considered as indispensable parts to compose a complete, sophisticated interior adornment even today. The Shoin style has survived into today's typical Japanese house interior style seen in Zashiki, formal guest room.
Ranma Ranma, or a decorative transom dates back to the Heian Period (794 - 1192). With the purpose of letting light in, its decorative aspect was not important in those days, therefore, simple patterns such as a lattice were mostly used. Since the Kamakura Period (1192 - 1333), more focus was given to the ornamental aspect and in the Momoyama Period (1573 - 1600), even more laborious decorations were incoporated into Ranma's. In the Edo Period (1603 - 1867), the level of decoration reached the peak: lavishing techniques of sculpture and silhouette carving, heavily-decorated, gorgeous items were produced. Thus, Ranma's gradually began to lose its original function.
Shoin Style Variations - Formal, Casual, and Free The "Formal" version is classy, highly sophisticated design to show the prestige and authority of feudal lords. The "Free" version was developed in accordance with growing popularity of tea ceremonies. In quest of elegant simplicity, various tea masters ventured on unique and original designs, and Humble Cottage Style or Sukiya-zukuri was created out of these designs. The "Casual" version falls between these two variations.
Kugi-kakushi Decorative Nail Head Cover
Kugi-kakushi, or a nail cover was used to hide nail heads on the pillars. The elegant design of nail covers enhance the entire room interior.
Uguisu-bari Nightingale Floors (squeaking security floors)
The corridors from the Ninomaru Palace entrance to the Grand Chambers use specially-devised floor construction. When someone walks upon the floor, it produces squeaking noise, which is compared to bird's chirping. The mechanism is very unique. When the floor is stamped, the clamps underneath it move up and down caused by gravity, creating friction between the nails and clamps holding the nails. This friction causes the floor to squeak. The floors function as a security device, warning the residents that someone is coming in by the squeaking sound. <おわびと訂正>上記の文章中で、clamps（正）となるところをcramps（誤）と誤って表記されていました。おわびとともに訂正させていただきます。また、ご指摘くださったMTさま、ありがとうございました。