What Is Japanese Stucco?
Japanese stucco is a type of clay wall commonly found in traditional Japanese houses.
Juraku walls, known as “juraku-kabe” in Chinese characters, are named after the clay (juraku-do) produced in a part of the Kyoto area. They are renowned for their tasteful appearance, achieved by subtly altering the wall’s color and creating an uneven surface, typically using “tsuchi-iro” as a base color.
In the past, it relied solely on the availability of clay and the craftsmanship of artisans. However, it has become more widespread with the replacement of synthetic materials by chemical products.
Uses of Japanese Stucco
Japanese stucco is often employed in the Japanese-style rooms of traditional Japanese houses where its atmospheric coloring enhances the overall ambiance. It is particularly popular in tea ceremony rooms, well-established ryotei (Japanese-style restaurants), and upscale ryokan (Japanese-style inns).
Sometimes, diatomaceous earth walls are used alongside Japanese stucco, especially in Western-style rooms. While diatomaceous earth walls and plaster walls often exhibit patterns on their surfaces, Japanese stucco is typically painted with a smooth finish.