Traditional Okinawan Houses: No.2
In Okinawan life, traditions of faith and custom have long been passed down.
Along with deep respect for ancestors, prayers were offered to the many household deities said to protect different parts of the home — the god of fire, the god of the floor, the god of the pillars, the god of the toilet, the god of the yard, the god of Shibi, and more.
It was believed that the gods were always close by in everyday life.
These practices, combined with the subtropical climate, likely gave rise to the unique layout of traditional Okinawan houses.
Features of Traditional Okinawan Houses
Floor plan
❶ Ichiban-jā (一番座)
This room is called “Ichiban-jā”.
It was regarded as the most prestigious space in the house and was also used as a guest room.
Here, the household deity known as “Tokushin”, the God of the Floor, was enshrined.
Tokushin was believed to enhance human virtue, grant wisdom, and watch over the prosperity of the household. In traditional Okinawan homes, great care was given to this deity.
By enshrining a god in the guest-receiving room, people prayed for good relationships with others and for the peace and stability of the home.
The “Ichiban-jā” is located on the eastern side of the main house, making it cooler and more comfortable in the afternoon, and thus considered the most pleasant room in the house.
❷ Niban-jā (二番座)
This room is called “Niban-jā” .
Located next to the Ichiban-jā, it houses the family Buddhist altar (Tōtōme) and is therefore also referred to as the “Goreizen-no-ma.”
During annual events and memorial services, family members naturally gathered here, making it an important space.
The Niban-jā carries a warm atmosphere where people come together, share laughter, and offer prayers. It truly serves as the spiritual center of the home.
❸ Sanban-jā or Itama (三番座 or 板間）
This room is called “Sanban-jā”.
It was used as a living room, a tea room, or a dining space.
It also seems to have served as a workspace for tasks such as sorting harvested crops.
❹ Ichiban Kucha (一番裏座)
Behind each main room, there is a small space called “Kucha”.
It was used either as a bedroom or for storage.
The one located behind the Ichiban-jā is known as “Ichiban Kucha”.
Traditionally, it served as the bedroom of the eldest son and his wife, or the private room for the male children of the household.
❺ Niban Kucha (二番裏座)
Behind the Niban-jā is the “Niban Kucha”.
This space was used as the bedroom for the head of the household and his wife, the daughters, or other family members.
In homes with a Sanban-jā, there was also a “Sanban Kucha”.
❻ Shimu (台所)
The kitchen, known as “Shim”, is located on the northwest side of the main house.
In the kitchen is enshrined the “Hinukan”, guardian of the hearth.
On the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month, people would offer thanks, report events, and make requests to “Hinukan”.
“Hinukan” was worshiped even earlier than the “Tōtōmē” and was believed to serve as a mediator to many other deities.
People are still praying to Hinukan for the safety of family members living far away.
❼ En (縁)
Between the main room and the garden lies the “En”.
This “En” is part of the “Ama-haji”, a semi-outdoor space connecting the interior with the garden.
The low eaves soften the strong sunlight and shield against wind and rain, making it well-suited to Okinawa’s climate.
Families would sit and talk here, and neighbors would drop by casually — the “En” was a cherished space that nurtured everyday interaction.
❽ Fūru (フール)
The “Fūru” was a unique structure that combined a pigsty and a toilet, typically located in the northwest corner of the property. It was dedicated to the “God of the Fūru,” considered the highest-ranking among the household deities. Perhaps the most important god was enshrined here to encourage people to keep the toilet clean. The system of reusing human waste as pig feed created a cycle that can be seen as an early example of what we now call a “sustainable lifestyle.”
The location in the photo is the outdoor exhibition of the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.
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