很久沒寫這個專欄了，首先，先了解關於「土間」和「床」這兩個名詞，請參考《圖解台灣日式住宅建築》，這會和這個主題非常有著密切的關係。

關於「土間」的英文定義

dirt floor. 
In old times, Japan‘s road is dirty. When come in home, Japanese took off their shous to avoid soling the inside of the house.

Most likely the Japanese were able to take their shoes and relax in their homes, as there was hardly any risk of attack from emerieis in this contury which would force them to flee suddenly. 

The custom of sitting or squatting directly on floor, hence the need to keep the clean.

不過，我認為除了以上的原因之外，「履物」也是重要因素。相較於中古歐洲人、漢民族等不分室內與室外之分，直接把室外鞋穿進來室內以外，日本人有一個重要的文化「下駄（げた）」

它英文這樣寫：a pair of geta(s); 或稱為 a pair of Japananse wooden clogs[footgears]

相較於皮鞋、或者漢人的鞋子，「下駄」和「草履」的穿脫容易。在著裝「下駄」的時候，通常是配「足袋」「着物」。


「どうぞ、お上がりください」

在門口，主人如此的迎接客人。客人要拜訪主人家時，有一個重要的禮節，就是穿「socks」，是「足袋」習俗的保留。也是客人給主人小心翼翼地保持室內乾淨的一種「お手なもし」。