[Kincaid]

Steven, thank you very much for your reply. That was a wealth of information. I've already looked at the links up to the different styles of house construction, and will read further now. The house I'm looking to describe would specifically be a large one, not in a city, and belonging to someone with a lot of wealth. This house would be connected to a training area behind it. I'm writing a book that has some Japanese elements in it, and my main character is blind. This is why I need so much detail on other sensory input from the experience of being in a house like this. I know this is commonplace, but I became fascinated with the Japanese language and culture after a college instructor got me hooked on anime. Then I started playing "Go", and have developed a deep appreciation for the wood work that goes into the construction of their older homes. I'm not proficient in Japanese (though I can get around a little bit), but I'm learning more as time passes. Thank you again for the reply.