Costum Made Noren Slowly drifting In The Wind.
Entering a Japanese shop or restaurant, you may have noticed the short curtains that hang over the entrance. These are noren curtains, a ubiquitous symbol of Japanese design that permeates cities, villages and homes alike. Noren curtains are fabric dividers, hung in doorways, across windows, on walls and between rooms. They take many shapes and sizes and are made using a multitude of different colors, patterns and materials. It is most often made of cotton or linen. In cities, noren are traditionally used by izakaya (Japanese pubs), sushi counters, ramen restaurants, shops and onsen. They typically display the names of the businesses they represent. Interior noren are used in homes as well as public spaces, which compartmentalise spaces and divide rooms into separate areas. It is thought that noren originally appeared during the Heian Period (794-1185), where they were used to keep houses cool, or retain heat during colder weather. In restaurants during the Edo period, customers would wipe their hands on the noren as they left the establishment, so the dirtier the noren, the better.