The simplicity of Japanese interior design has been an inspiration for a lot of designers and for anyone who loves the style. Japanese-inspired dining rooms offer a rather different point of view on things, treating the space in a more casual and simplistic manner than the one we’re used to. So if you’re planning a makeover for your dining room or for a different area of your home, check out the furniture and décor options we’ve selected so far.First off, let’s start with a beautiful collection from . The combo you see here features the Zaisu chairs. The most prominent details about them is the fact they have no legs. The style is specific to Japanese dining sets. The chairs are very simple and have comfortable seat cushions and backrests and they come in several versions and colors, all including natural wood tones and lacquered finishes.Japanese dining rooms don’t use chairs like the ones we’re used with. Typically, everyone simply sits directly on the floor around the table.
However, if you find this transition a bit too harsh, try replacing your regular dining chairs with minimalist stools. It’s a great first step towards switching to a Japanese style.The next step can to replace the chairs or stools with floor cushions. Naturally, this also means a very low table is needed. An interesting concept is the dining table that becomes flush with the floor when not in use, clearing the room of furniture and allowing it to serve a different function.This interesting system works for just about any type of table, whether it’s big, small, square or rectangular. The floor features a hollow space which allows the table to be lowered and hidden in there. When used, the space inside the floor provides a nice place to rest the feet for a more comfortable position.Japanese and Asian interiors are defined by simplicity. There’s usually very little furniture in such a room. A dining room, for example, would only include a low table and a bunch of floor pillows which can be easily stacked and stored in a cabinet.
The same characteristics are also featured by the living room. Apply these ideas to the room you wish to decorate and seek inspiration without trying to awkwardly copy the look.Floor cushions are very popular in Asian homes. They allow the users to sit closer to the ground and thus establish a special relationship with this area of a room we often ignore. Area rugs are not typically a part of a room’s design. Instead, the wooden floor is left bare and exposed. Wood is an important element in the décor.A Japanese-inspired living room can look really chic with a small area rug, a low coffee table at its center and a few small floor pillows spread around it. Put a lamp in the corner and use simple, open shelves for storage. Combine wood with fabrics and simple colors to create a comfortable and fresh ambiance without overwhelming the space. Isamu Noguchi was an American-Japanese designer who originally trained as a sculptor and brought a sculptural sensibility to everything he created: lighting, furniture, gardens and stage sets.
He studied sculpture, after dropping out of medical school, in late 1920s New York and then in Paris as an assistant to Constantin Brancusi. Noguchi designed a range of paper Akari lights throughout the 1950s and 1960s, alongside the popular organic furniture he made in curvy sculpted wood now part of the Vitra Collection, such as the Freeform and Coffee Table. He was equally prolific as a landscape architect; he recreated the ancient Buddhist stone gardens he had loved in Kyoto at Lever House in New York (1951), UNESCO in Paris (1951), the Yale campus (1960) and Jerusalem's Israel Museum (1960). Coffee tablesDining tablesFloor lampsPendant lightsSide tablesTable lights All isamu noguchi at nest.co.uk Any price £0-100£100-250£250-500£500-1000£1000+ All brands Price – low to high Price – high to lowWelcome to the country page for Japan, which contains specific information for Japanese students interested in studying at SOAS. Matt Naylor is the International Officer for Japan and would be very happy to answer any questions you may have about applying to and studying at SOAS.
Email:matt.naylor@soas.ac.ukTel: +44 (0)20 7898 4069Matt also visits Japan at least twice a year to attend education fairs, visit schools and universities and to meet with students interested in studying at SOAS. Further information on upcoming visits can be found on the Meet SOAS staff in your Area page. The below are guidelines only and do not guarantee entry. Each application will be judged on its own merits. The Japanese High School leaving certificate is not sufficient for entry to a SOAS undergraduate degree. Applicants from Japan would be expected to offer, either instead or in addition, one of the following: Please see the individual undergraduate degree programme descriptions for specific course requirements. Information about how to apply can be found on the undergraduate admissions pages and on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website. To be considered for a place on a Taught Masters programme SOAS requires a bachelor's degree (Gakushi, 4-6 years) from a prestigious university with an overall mark of 78%, B+ or a GPA of 3.3.
Other universities are considered and applicants will be assessed on individual merit. The masters degree (Hakushi) is acceptable for entry to a research degree.In addition to the above minimum entrance requirements, you should also refer to the individual programme entries in the postgraduate prospectus or on our postgraduate admissions pages, which may have additional requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English must also show their level of English. For more information please visit the English entry requirements page. SOAS does offer English summer courses (‘pre-sessionals’) for those who do not meet the exact entry requirements so that students have the opportunity to improve their language skills before beginning academic study. Those applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements or would like to improve their English language before studying for a degree, could consider applying for one of the foundation degrees offered at the SOAS IFCELS centre.
Students can improve their English while studying academic courses in an area of their choice, including Development Studies, International Business, Media and Communication and International Politics. SOAS has exchange agreements with a number of universities in Japan through which undergraduate students can study for one year at SOAS as part of their degree. In the first instance students should speak to the exchanges or international office in their university for application details. If your university does not have an exchange agreement with SOAS then you can still apply to spend one semester or one year at SOAS as part of your undergraduate degree on the 'Study Abroad' programme. Further information and an application form can be found on the Semester Abroad pages or please contact studyabroad@soas.ac.uk. SOAS works with SI-UK Education Council & beo in Japan and you can contact them directly to ask any questions about applying to and studying at SOAS. SOAS offers a wide-range of scholarships, bursaries and awards to support students, including 11 SOAS Masters scholarships for £14, 670, which is open to any Masters student studying full-time.
A number of scholarships are also provided by the University of London, the British Government and other external organisations, for a list please visit scholarships and bursaries. If you apply for a visa before you arrive in the UK then you should be eligible to work part-time or volunteer during your programme of study. This visa will allow you to work part-time during the term (up to 20 hours a week) and any number of hours during the vacations. However, you should check before you apply for a job that your visa will allow you to do this particular kind of work.Please be aware that to meet immigration rules for students, you have to show that you have enough money to support yourself during your studies without needing to work. For comprehensive advice on working in the UK, please visit the UKCISA website. The SOAS Careers Service can help you to find volunteering opportunities and can provide information and advice on finding paid employment during your studies and after graduation.