MIKA successfully celebrated its 7th anniversary on September 23 and has now entered its 8th year. I truly feel that this is all thanks to our customers who visit us every day, the local community members who offer us words of encouragement and support in front of the shop, and the friends who give us advice. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone for their support over the past year.
At our store, we hang a noren (traditional Japanese shop curtain) at the entrance. The purpose of the noren is to advertise our products, showcase Japanese culture, and act as a windbreak, but most importantly, it serves to create a boundary between the inside and the outside. I want the inside of the store to feel like an independent, unique space, not just an extension of the outside world, and the noren is perfect for creating that boundary.
Many of our customers bow their heads slightly and pass under the noren when they enter. Traditionally, people would push the noren aside with their hands, but many try not to touch it and simply duck under it as they enter. Our store has five steps leading up from the sidewalk, so it’s a bit elevated. When we’re open, the noren is hung in such a way that you can’t see inside from the street. As customers duck under the noren, their gaze naturally lowers, and when they lift their eyes again, they find themselves in the different world of our store.
Currently, we have a colorful mobile installation by artist Hartmann Paula hanging from the ceiling, which creates an even greater contrast with the outside. This is similar to the traditional experience of entering a Japanese tea room through a small, low entrance, creating a sense of transition from the outside world.
（mobile installation by artist Hartmann Paula）
That said, today, I’d like to introduce you to the history of the noren.
The Origins of the Noren
It is believed that the noren originated in Kyoto. It is depicted in the Shigisan Engi, a work from around 1135–1140, which suggests that it may have been in use as far back as the Nara period, making its history incredibly long. Even today, noren are loved and used not only in Kyoto but across Japan.
(Shigisan Engi)
Originally, the noren was introduced to Japan along with Zen Buddhism from China. In Zen temples, cloth was hung from the ceiling to block wind, sunlight, and dust. At the time, many rural homes in Japan did not have doors, and simple buildings provided shelter from the elements. The noren spread as a way to cover these open areas and protect homes from the weather.
Examples of Noren Color Categories
Initially, noren were plain white, but during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), samurai began to add family crests to them. Merchants soon followed suit. By the Muromachi period (1336–1573), businesses were using unique logos or symbols, and noren became a way to communicate information. Below are some examples of noren colors and their meanings.
（The state of the late Edo period）
Navy Blue
Navy blue and indigo represent reliable businesses such as sake brewers and kimono merchants. The indigo scent also repels insects, providing a practical benefit.
Persimmon Color
High-end restaurants and small eateries often use a persimmon color, a reddish-brown dye technique known as kachin-zome. This color was originally reserved for the highest-ranking courtesans in entertainment districts. Over time, it became associated with luxury.
White
White noren were used by confectionery shops due to their connection with sugar, a symbol of purity. Later, it was also used by pharmacies, as sugar was once considered medicinal.
Brown
A slightly yellowish brown was originally used by tobacco merchants, pharmacies, and seed sellers. Over time, it came to be used by kimono shops, confectioneries, and tea shops as well.
（A traditional Japanese confectionery shop established in Meiji 36 (1903).）
Idioms Related to the Noren
The noren has also found its way into many Japanese idioms. Here are a few examples, with both literal translations and their meanings:
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Noren o kakeru (Hang up the noren): To start a new business. This idiom refers to the act of hanging up a noren at the entrance, symbolizing the opening of a store or the beginning of business operations.
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Noren o orosu (Take down the noren): To close a business. Literally meaning to take down the noren, this expression signifies the end of a business or the act of shutting down a store.
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Noren ni udeoshi (Pushing against the noren): This means "pushing on a noren with your arms," and it conveys the idea of putting in effort but receiving no reaction or result, like pushing against a soft curtain.
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Noren o wakeru (Divide the noren): To share the noren with someone else. This idiom refers to a parent business granting the rights to use its name or reputation to a branch store or a disciple. It's like passing down the family business to the next generation.
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Noren o mamoru (Protect the noren): To protect the honor of the noren. This refers to upholding the reputation, tradition, and honor of a long-standing family or business, ensuring its legacy continues.
These idioms show that the noren is not just a piece of fabric, but an integral part of business life, deeply tied to family traditions and the passing down of values through generations.
At our store, we carry linen noren from Kyoto. Linen is much more difficult to dye and weave than cotton, and our noren are made by skilled craftsmen. On a visit to the workshop, I asked if we could stock a particularly beautiful noren, only to be told, “This noren is so difficult to dye that it can never be made again, so we don’t want to let it leave Kyoto.” While I was disappointed that I couldn’t introduce it in Canada, I was deeply moved by their passion and commitment to preserving the craft.
I’m often asked, “Does the noren mean you’re closed?” but actually, when the noren is hung, we are open. If you ever visit Japan, don’t hesitate to enter a shop when you see a noren hanging outside. While there may be a rare case where the noren is left out by mistake after closing, in general, it means the store is open.
When you pass under a noren, the scent from inside wafts toward you, and in the cold winter months, it makes the warmth of the store feel even cozier. I look forward to continuing to enjoy the connections created by this simple piece of fabric.
Link
I want to learn more about noren!
Hartmann Paula ＠hartmann_paula
