One of Japan's most important residential architectural styles, shoin-zukuri was established in the Momoyama period. It developed from the Heian period *shinden-zukuri 寝殿造 and the subsequent warrior residences *buke-zukuri 武家造. The basic building structure consisted of a core area omoya 主屋, surrounded by aisles *hisashi 廂, around which additional aisles *magobisashi 孫廂, were sometimes added. These areas were separated by various types of sliding door: see *shōji 障子 *sugido 杉戸, *fusuma 襖, *mairado 舞良戸.
Shoin-zukuri was characterized by square pillars kakubashira 角柱, wall to wall tatami-matted flooring *tatami 畳, and in the main reception room the decorative alcove *tokonoma 床の間, staggered shelves *chigaidana 違い棚, and built-in desk tsukeshoin 付書院. Ornate sliding doors known as *chōdaigamae 帳台構え led to the sleeping room *chōdai-no-ma 帳台の間. The Japanese house also acquired the entrance hall *genkan 玄関 at this time. The early phase of shoin-zukuri is known as shuden-zukuri 主殿造.