The
interior architecture of Heian palaces is best preserved today in the imperial
palace in Kyoto. The structure of pillars and beams is exposed; there are
no fixed walls and hence no rooms as we know them. The floors are of polished
wood, on which were placed various types of movable mats. These mats were
the forerunners of the tatami which in time became permanent floors
for the Japanese house. But already a major Japanese tradition had been
established that of living directly on mats and cushions rather than sitting
in chairs as both Chinese and Europeans have always done.