Noren (暖簾), the fabric dividers seen hanging at the entrances of traditional Japanese shops and homes, are more than just decoration. They offer privacy, shelter, and a quiet invitation to step inside; a small gesture of welcome.
As we cycled through the Honmura district of Naoshima, noren hung in doorways everywhere, swaying gently in the breeze, each one telling a quiet story of the place it adorned.
In contrast, the faceless glass and concrete of modern cities offer no such welcome, only blank surfaces that reflect but never invite.
Leave a Reply