Amado (雨戸) is a traditional Japanese architectural fitting consisting of wooden sliding shutters installed at the outer openings of a building. The term literally translates to "rain door" (雨 = rain, 戸 = door). Amado are used for windproofing, crime prevention, light blocking, and privacy.
History
Japanese houses have had protective fittings against wind and rain since ancient times, including earlier forms such as shitomi (蔀) and medieval mairado (舞良戸). The first documented use of fittings specifically called "Amado" appears in construction records from the late 16th century, with the Great Hall of Jurakudai (completed in 1587) cited as the earliest known example. Amado became common on temple buildings, some shrine buildings, vernacular dwellings (minka), and mansions (yashiki).
Structure
Amado are constructed as wooden panels that slide horizontally along a track set into the sill and lintel. When not in use, they are stored in a recessed storage box (door pocket) integrated into the wall. There are two main storage types: the door box type, where the storage is covered with a panel, and the door plate type, where the shutter body remains exposed even when stored.
The shutters are deployed sequentially: the panel farthest from the storage box is moved out first along a single groove, and each subsequent shutter follows and is pushed until it meets the one already in place. Many shutters feature mortise-and-tenon joints (hozoana and hozo) or tongue-and-groove edges (sanehagi) to ensure a close fit between panels.
Locking Mechanism
Amado are secured using wooden bolts called saru (猿, literally "monkey"). Two types exist: otoshizaru (落し猿, drop lock), which drops into holes in the sill, and agezaru (上げ猿, upper lock), which is pushed up into holes in the lintel. A sliding horizontal wooden catch holds the agezaru in place.
Usage
Amado are typically closed at night to enclose the building, ensuring security from intruders and protecting the interior from wind, rain, or snow. Some traditional houses feature amado with small sliding panels that can be opened for ventilation even when the main shutters are closed. In Edo-period theaters, amado were positioned on the upper story behind the audience gallery and closed to darken the interior during performances.
Modern Context
In contemporary Japanese urban houses, storm shutters (amado) are still commonly installed when an opening faces the road or is easily accessible. Similar functional equivalents in Western architecture include steel shutters and double or triple glass doors.
