In traitional Japanese architecture, a shōji (障子) is a room divider or door consisting of translucent washi paper over a wooden frame. Shoji doors are often designed to slide open, or fold in half, to conserve space that would be required by a swinging door. They are used in traditional houses as well as western-style housing, especially in the washitsu, and are now regarded in Japan as a necessity in looking Japanese.