Noren – Traditional cloth dividers in Japan

Noren (暖簾) are traditional Japanese cloth dividers that are hung between rooms, walls, doors, or windows. They generally have one or more vertical slits cut from the bottom to near the top of the fabric, allowing for easier passage or display. Noren are rectangular and come in different materials, sizes, colors, and patterns.

Noren are used to protect houses from wind, dust and rain, as well as to keep heat in on cold days and to provide shade on hot summer days. They can also be used for decorative purposes or to divide a room into two separate spaces.

They are part of the life of the Japanese since you can find them in shops, at restaurant entrances, izakaya (Japanese-style bars) even inside houses! They are very functional and a nice ornament for your home!