In contrast to a traditional Chinese courtyard house (click image to enlarge), in Tai, the east and west wings are removed and the height of the dàozuò (倒座), the south-facing building opposite the main house (labeled "back room"), is lowered to increase the southern exposure.


The sleeping hearth or kang (炕) is an ingenious device still used in China. During the winter, the flue from the stove or fireplace is diverted beneath a raised platform in the house to provide central heating.

Labels: 12 kingdoms, black moon, fantasy, japanese, translations