what kind of light, is considered an integral part of the livability and aesthetics of an interior space. The ability to slide the shoji aside, and take them out and put them in a closet, means that living space is more spacious, open, and more connected to the garden outside. It also means that rooms can be thrown together for special occasions, so that a small house can host large social gatherings. This attribute has been valued since at least Heian times. Paper shoji can be painted on. While paint blocks the light, shoji were sometimes used for signage (see images). Portability has encouraged the use of shoji on ceremonial occasions and in theater. A person being thrown through shoji is an action-movie cliché. See also List of partitions of traditional Japanese architecture Sudare (bamboo screens or blinds) Fusuma (opaque version) Engawa (protective veranda) Higashiyama period Muntins (glass pane frames) Anidolic lighting References Further reading External links Sukiya Living Magazine article about shoji screens Japanese architectural features Interior design Doors Windows Japanese home Partitions in traditional Japanese architecture