THE ESSENCE OF LIVING IN HOKURIKU’S FOLK HOUSES

This study aims to clarify the uniqueness of housing in Tsubata’s folk houses. By analyzing the newly developed theory of buildings based on daily life, known as “IE-ethics,” which focuses on function rather than structural composition, we seek to identify the characteristics of Tsubata’s housing. These characteristics will be compared with surrounding regions to establish their uniqueness. Ultimately, we arrived at the hypothesis that the distinctiveness of Tsubata’s housing lies in the maintenance of an undifferentiated function of “OI,” which corresponds to today’s living-dining space. This way of living preserves an older, prototypical form of habitation.