genkan

{{Short description|Entryway area in Japanese buildings}}

{{Italic title}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

{{Nihongo||玄関|Genkan}} are traditional Japanese entryway areas for a house, apartment, or building, a combination of a porch and a doormat.{{cite web|title=What Is This? Genkan|url=http://web-japan.org/nipponia/nipponia20/en/what/what01.html|access-date=1 August 2014}} It is usually located inside the building directly in front of the door. The primary function of {{transliteration|ja|genkan}} is for the removal of shoes before entering the main part of the house or building.

A secondary function is a place for brief visits without being invited across the {{transliteration|ja|genkan}} step into the house proper.{{r|Chavez}} For example, where a pizza delivery driver in an English-speaking country would normally stand on the porch and conduct business through the open front door, in Japan a food delivery would traditionally have taken place across the {{transliteration|ja|genkan}} step.{{cite news |title=Almost half of Japanese people hide when their doorbell rings—here's why |first=Evie |last=Nyan |date=12 May 2016 |publisher=rocketnews24 |url=https://en.rocketnews24.com/2016/05/12/almost-half-of-japanese-people-hide-when-their-doorbell-rings-but-why/ |quote=In rural areas especially, the {{'-}}genkan{{-'}} or inside entranceway to a house was considered open to the public, and often neighbours and salespeople alike would blithely enter this space and call out to the residents within.}}

After removing shoes, one must avoid stepping on the tiled or concrete {{nihongo|{{transliteration|ja|genkan}} floor|三和土|tataki}} in socks or with bare feet, to avoid bringing dirt into the house.{{cite web|last1=Chavez|first1=Amy|title=Rules of the 'genkan': First, wear shoes|date=5 October 2002 |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2002/10/05/our-lives/rules-of-the-genkan-first-wear-shoes/#.U9wnB2MuKiQ|access-date=1 August 2014}} Once inside, generally one will change into {{nihongo||上履き|uwabaki}}: slippers or shoes intended for indoor wear.

{{Transliteration|ja|Genkan}} are also occasionally found in other buildings in Japan, especially in old-fashioned businesses.

File:Genkan-M9778.jpg|{{transliteration|ja|Genkan}} of a residence in Japan, viewed from outside looking in

File:Genkan-M9774.jpg|The same {{transliteration|ja|genkan}}, viewed from inside looking out. The doors on the left wall are {{transliteration|ja|getabako}}.

File:A genkan in an apartment in Hokkaido.jpg|A genkan without getabako