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Okinawan homes are typically 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 are typically 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.

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.<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 the [[Meiji period]] 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 home itself is elevated a short step above the ground, like Japanese homes, and is held up by wooden pillars, with most if not all of the walls separating rooms being comprised of sliding panels (i.e. sliding doors). Many of these are left open, especially in summer, in order to allow breezes to pass through to ameliorate the high temperatures and humidity typical of Okinawa's climate. A porch running along the front of the house, under the eaves, known as ''amahaji'' and facing the front yard, provides a breezy and shaded space to sit. More rural homes might have additional buildings, or additional areas within the walls, including livestock sheds, pigsties, vegetable gardens, and/or a well.

The home itself is elevated a short step above the ground, like Japanese homes, and is held up by wooden pillars, with most if not all of the walls separating rooms being comprised of sliding panels (i.e. sliding doors). Many of these are left open, especially in summer, in order to allow breezes to pass through to ameliorate the high temperatures and humidity typical of Okinawa's climate. A porch running along the front of the house, under the eaves, known as ''amahaji'' and facing the front yard, provides a breezy and shaded space to sit. More rural homes might have additional buildings, or additional areas within the walls, including livestock sheds, pigsties, vegetable gardens, and/or a well.