障 子(しょうじ)

しょうじ

noun

paper sliding door

building

1. shoji, paper sliding door

A traditional Japanese sliding door or room divider made of a wooden frame covered with translucent paper.

障子(しょうじ)を開(あ)けて外(そと)を見(み)た。

I opened the shoji and looked outside.

障子(しょうじ)の紙(かみ)を張(は)り替(か)える。

I'm replacing the paper on the shoji.

障子(しょうじ)から柔(やわ)らかい光(ひかり)が入(はい)ってくる。

Soft light comes through the shoji.

Cultural note

障子(しょうじ) are traditional sliding doors covered with washi (Japanese paper). They allow soft, diffused light to enter while providing privacy. Found in traditional Japanese rooms (和室(わしつ)).

Common collocations

障子(しょうじ)を開(あ)ける/閉(し)める (to open/close the shoji)
障子(しょうじ)の張(は)り替(か)え (replacing shoji paper)
障子(しょうじ)紙(がみ) (shoji paper)

Related words

襖(ふすま) - fusuma (opaque sliding door, often decorated)
引(ひ)き戸(ど) - sliding door (general term)

Similar words

障子(しょうじ) = translucent paper (lets light through)
襖(ふすま) = opaque (painted/decorated, blocks light)

Related Words

Compare: 襖(ふすま) (opaque sliding door)

Related: 引(ひ)き戸(ど) (sliding door)

Related: 戸(と) (door, sliding door)

Related: カーテン (curtain)

Related: 鴨居(かもい) (lintel)

Related: 建具(たてぐ) (fittings)

Compare: 格子窓(こうしまど) (lattice window)

Compare: 戸襖(とぶすま) (tobusuma)

general

Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02

04000/04201_shouji