ABSTRACT
The rojis formed, historically inside the block or behind the main streets or side streets, a ‘semi-public, semi-private’ realm, which was a place for collective activities around small shrines, local shops and bathhouses. The extension of such uses is covered by the term afuredashi, literally translated as ‘overflow’, which indicates in which ambiguous ways the roji were and are used. Many rojis have a maze-like character, offering unexpected encounters based on their complicated shape, which the architect Amos Rappoport classified as a quality of alleyways. In general, the roji was used as an everyday place or to create bustle, as people were guided along narrow alleyways to enjoy different kinds of activities. The side streets and alleyways were the central meeting and gathering place of the local community, in the centre of the neighbourhood unit. In Kyoto, the cho developed later according a 45-degree grid pattern along diagonals.
