I had no idea the changes were so extensive- are you getting all the windows done for better insulation? I really like the glass doors out of the kitchen- doubtless they'll bring a lot more light in, and help you keep that passage less cluttered up.
This sort of thing doesn't happen much in Japan. They don't know the meaning of the word insulation, really. No central heating- the best most houses have is an air conditioner that blows hot air around. All windows are single-glazed- most people have no conception of double glazing, or of the amount of heat that can be saved with it. I guess it's part of the culture of transience. Even ancient Shoguns in their palaces used to sit in empty winter halls, bundled up in thick winter kimonos, with only a small hand brazier to keep their hands warm. To them, there was no insulating against the outside, no idea that the home was the castle. You were you, and if the air around you was cold, that's the natural order and can't be changed.
Looks like you'll be quite toasty in your newly revamped castle ;)
I'm thinking that has something to do with living in an earthquake zone and not wanting rafters falling on your head. I like how they go around thinking "all things must pass" but I'd miss the old buildings.
Better insulation is a side effect. We had to have the windows done because the frames were rotten. Carl would stop by every so often and fill the holes with putty, but it was getting to the point where we had to go for the radical solution.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
branchandroot
extensive
Date: 2010-11-19 01:47 am (UTC)This sort of thing doesn't happen much in Japan. They don't know the meaning of the word insulation, really. No central heating- the best most houses have is an air conditioner that blows hot air around. All windows are single-glazed- most people have no conception of double glazing, or of the amount of heat that can be saved with it. I guess it's part of the culture of transience. Even ancient Shoguns in their palaces used to sit in empty winter halls, bundled up in thick winter kimonos, with only a small hand brazier to keep their hands warm. To them, there was no insulating against the outside, no idea that the home was the castle. You were you, and if the air around you was cold, that's the natural order and can't be changed.
Looks like you'll be quite toasty in your newly revamped castle ;)
Re: extensive
Date: 2010-11-19 08:53 am (UTC)Better insulation is a side effect. We had to have the windows done because the frames were rotten. Carl would stop by every so often and fill the holes with putty, but it was getting to the point where we had to go for the radical solution.