Oshiire

An oshiire (押入れ) is a traditional Japanese closet. Its doors generally slide open. It was originally used to store futons during the day to allow full use of the room's floorspace.

Origin and description
The term "" comes from two verbs, "", meaning "to push", and "", meaning "to put inside".

are of relatively recent origin, as they only gradually appeared during the second half of the Edo period. Previously, most Japanese people slept on hard surfaces, gathering in the smallest room of traditional houses of the time, the "," to keep warm. Straw was placed on the floor for comfort, and when the temperature was uncomfortably cold, people would sleep in straw sacks.

Bedding then developed thanks to cotton, the use of which became widespread in the 17th Century. It was at this time that the need arose for greater storage space within the house itself, at least for those who could afford it.

Considering their role in storing futons and bedding, are very large, much larger than Western closets, which are primarily used for clothing. In general, an is closed by  (sliding doors). In principle, an is the size of a  mat and is divided horizontally in two across the middle.

Usage
are found in (rooms with Japanese-style furnishings) as futons are not typically used in Western-style rooms.

Furthermore, it is not customary in Japan to leave bedding in the room during the day, therefore the futon is usually laid outside to dry and then stored in the. To store it, the futon is folded into thirds. Once the bedding is stored, the room can be used for other purposes, such as entertaining friends, dining, or watching television.

In addition to the futon, the is also used to store  (pillows), sheets, blankets, and  (sitting cushions).