Typically, a shape and purpose of a window are common. It is a mostly square hole to the world. The reason why the shape of windows is square seems to be caused by how to make it. It is easier to make a square window.
A traditional house in Japan has large windows, which are, exactly saying, not a kind of window but a door. You can feel a cool wind in Summer, thanks to the large apertural area. A question is how to get out of the cold.
Beginning with sparkling sun light in a glorious brand new day.
A bell, Tsubo-suzu (坪鈴) and ropes, Himo-maki (鈴紐), of a shrine are seen. You can find other pictures here.
The last day of 2013 was calm and passing gently in Yokohama. At least, it seemed to be suitable for spending a time with my family. A sound of a bell of temple was telling the new year.
at a Buddhist temple
Though common Japanese are not devotional as I wrote ever, new year’s visit to a shrine or a temple is ordinary custom. Exactly saying, visiting temple is completely different from praying at shrine.
To ding a bell of a Buddhist temple is done around the midnight of the last day and, in general, it should be 108 times. Maybe as you know, its tone is very low. Interestingly, people may visit a shrine also in order to pray a happy year. The first picture was taken at a Buddhist temple just after finishing preparation of year-end ringing a bell.
at a small shrine
The third picture was taken at a shrine, close to the temple in the first and the second pic, where many people were praying for 2014.