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[[File:Mutuya.jpg|right|thumb|320px|A village headman's home (''mûtuyaa'') at Ocean Expo Park. The ''hinpun'' (in this case in dark stone) is visible within the opening in the stone wall, blocking direct view of the house and protecting it from evil spirits.]]

[[File:Mutuya.jpg|right|thumb|320px|A village headman's home (''mûtuyaa'') at Ocean Expo Park. The ''hinpun'' (in this case in dark stone) is visible within the opening in the stone wall, blocking direct view of the house and protecting it from evil spirits.]]

[[File:Okinawan-home.jpg|right|thumb|320px|The bare wooden-floored ''ita-no-ma'' of a typical Okinawan home, with hearth in the far corner, and a glimpse of the kitchen off to the left. Display at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.]]

[[File:Okinawan-home.jpg|right|thumb|320px|The bare wooden-floored ''ita-no-ma'' of a typical Okinawan home, with hearth in the far corner, and a glimpse of the kitchen off to the left. Display at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.]]

Okinawan homes were often constructed in a style called ''nuchijaa'' (貫木屋). ''Nuchijaa'' homes are one-story structures built in wood, with red pottery roof tiles, and surrounded by white limestone walls. Sections of the wall are left open to allow for access, and for breezes to pass through; rather than being wide open, however, the entrance opening in the wall is blocked with a stone section called ''hinpun'',<ref>屏風 or simply ヒンプン. Though written with the same [[kanji|characters]] as ''[[byobu|byôbu]]'' - the standard Japanese term for a folding screen, which also could be said to serve to block wind - ''hinpun'' takes its name from an approximation of the Chinese reading of those characters: ''píngfēng''.</ref> which provides privacy for the family (preventing passersby on the street from seeing directly into the home), and is said to block the entry of evil spirits. A pair of ''[[shisa]]'' (lion-dogs), typically in ceramic, are placed atop the roof or on either side of the gate, also in order to protect the home from evil spirits.

Okinawan homes were often constructed in a style called ''nuchijaa'' (貫木屋). ''Nuchijaa'' homes are one-story structures built in wood, with red pottery roof tiles, and surrounded by white limestone walls. Sections of the wall are left open to allow for access, and for breezes to pass through; rather than being wide open, however, the entrance opening in the wall is blocked with a stone section called ''hinpun'',<ref>屏風 or simply ヒンプン. Though written with the same [[kanji|characters]] as ''[[byobu|byôbu]]'' - the standard Japanese term for a folding screen, which also could be said to serve to block wind - ''hinpun'' takes its name from an approximation of the Chinese reading of those characters: ''píngfēng''.</ref> which provides privacy for the family (preventing passersby on the street from seeing directly into the home), and is said to block the entry of evil spirits. In the [[Yaeyama Islands]], trees or other plants sometimes serve the function of ''hinpun'', and are called ''maiyashi''.<ref name=taketomichiku>「竹富町竹富島伝統的建造物群保存地区」, explanatory plaque on-site on Taketomi Island.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/53891019088/sizes/l/]</ref> A pair of ''[[shisa]]'' (lion-dogs), typically in ceramic, are placed atop the roof or on either side of the gate, also in order to protect the home from evil spirits.

During the time of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]], red ceramic tile roofs were limited to the aristocracy; most commoners lived in thatched-roofed homes. It was only in [[1889]] that these restrictions were abolished, and the aristocratic style of house became more widespread, and became more strongly associated with being the iconic standard or stereotypical form of Okinawan architecture.<ref>Gallery labels, "Red-tiled roofs," National Museum of Japanese History.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/11790013056/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>

During the time of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]], red ceramic tile roofs were limited to the aristocracy; most commoners lived in thatched-roofed homes. It was only in [[1889]] that these restrictions were abolished, and the aristocratic style of house became more widespread, and became more strongly associated with being the iconic standard or stereotypical form of Okinawan architecture.<ref>Gallery labels, "Red-tiled roofs," National Museum of Japanese History.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/11790013056/in/dateposted-public/]</ref>

The interior of the home itself might typically consist of four to five rooms, plus a kitchen. As in traditional Japanese homes, the kitchen is located in an earthen-floored area, a step down from the elevated wooden floor, but immediately adjacent to another room, and contained under the same roof. The hearth (''irori'') is often located in a room with bare wooden floorboards, known as ''ita no ma'' ("planks room") in Japanese. Two "front rooms," known simply as the ''ichibanza'' ("first room") and ''nibanza'' ("second room"), serve as rooms for entertaining guests. These spaces typically have [[tatami]] on the floor, and contain the ''[[tokonoma]]'' (O: ''tuku'') and family altar (''[[butsudan]]'', O: ''buchidan''), respectively. Behind these rooms, towards the rear of the house, are typically a pair of "rear rooms," known simply as ''ichiban'' (number one) and ''niban'' (number two) ''uraza'' (rear room). These serve as the family's bedrooms and private spaces.

The interior of the home itself might typically consist of four to five rooms, plus a kitchen. As in traditional Japanese homes, the kitchen is located in an earthen-floored area, a step down from the elevated wooden floor, but immediately adjacent to another room, and contained under the same roof. The hearth (''irori'') is often located in a room with bare wooden floorboards, known as ''ita no ma'' ("planks room") in Japanese. Two "front rooms," known simply as the ''ichibanza'' ("first room") and ''nibanza'' ("second room"), serve as rooms for entertaining guests. These spaces typically have [[tatami]] on the floor, and contain the ''[[tokonoma]]'' (O: ''tuku'') and family altar (''[[butsudan]]'', O: ''buchidan''), respectively. Behind these rooms, towards the rear of the house, are typically a pair of "rear rooms," known simply as ''ichiban'' (number one) and ''niban'' (number two) ''uraza'' (rear room). These serve as the family's bedrooms and private spaces.

An additional structure known as an ''asagi'' or ''mae no ie'' is sometimes located nearby, serving as residence for an older member of the family, such as the retired former head of household, or his wife or widow, mother to the current head of household; such a space might also be used to house other family or guests.

An additional structure known as an ''asagi'' or ''mae no ie'' is sometimes located nearby, serving as residence for an older member of the family, such as the retired former head of household, or his wife or widow, mother to the current head of household; such a space might also be used to house other family or guests.