In the Meiji period,the introduction of European and American culturers increasingly influenced the lives of Japanese people. Residences built in the foreign settlements in the late Edo period were the forerunners of Western-style houses inJapan. These foreigners' residences did not have a broad influence in Japan;their influence was limited to upper-class government officials and financiers.

A reflection of this trend can be seen in the fact that Westernisation of city residences began only with the guest-room.Japanese ordinary houses gradually introduced a Western-style reception room beside the entrance hall.

To A House Designed for the Family