shoji
UK[ˈʃəʊdʒi]US[ˈʃoʊdʒi]
n
A sliding door, window, or room divider made of a wooden frame covered with translucent paper, used in traditional Japanese architecture.
Etymology
The word 'shoji' is a direct borrowing from Japanese, entering the English lexicon in the late 19th century as Western interest in Japanese art and architecture grew. In Japanese, 'shoji' (障子) is a compound word where 'sho' can relate to 'hindering' or 'obstructing' and 'ji' means 'thing', historically referring to a barrier or partition. In English, it has been adopted as a simplex term, shedding its original compositional meaning to refer specifically to the iconic paper-paneled sliding screen. Its adoption exemplifies how a culture-specific artifact carries its native name into another language as a single, unanalyzed lexical unit.
Analysis
This is a direct loanword from Japanese. It is not segmented into meaningful morphemes within the English spelling system.
Examples
The soft light filtered through the paper of the shoji, creating a peaceful ambiance in the room.
He gently slid the shoji open to reveal the meticulously raked garden outside.
Modern interior designers sometimes use frosted glass in place of paper to create a contemporary version of the shoji screen.