Buzz
The gardens of Kyoto's Nijo Castle, constructed in 1603 as the official residence of the first Tokugawa Shogun, feature a nightingale floor. Ulf Andersen/Getty ImagesWhile squeaky floors might add character to a home or frustrate teenagers trying to sneak out unnoticed, they were intentionally incorporated into certain 17th-century Japanese homes to deter intruders. Known as uguisubari or nightingale floors, these specially designed floors produce a unique chirping sound when walked upon, thanks to their ingenious construction.
These floors functioned as an early warning system in several renowned Japanese residences, contrasting with the otherwise refined aesthetics of their surroundings. For example, visitors to Kyoto's Nijo Castle and Toji-in Temple often attempt to move quietly across these floors, only to discover that lighter steps produce louder, bird-like chirps, earning them the name 'nightingale floors.'
Constructed similarly to standard floors, nightingale floors consist of wooden planks placed along a joist. However, unlike traditional floors, the planks are intentionally left slightly loose, allowing them to shift slightly when stepped on. A metal clamp attached beneath each plank rubs against a nail as the plank moves, producing the characteristic chirping sound.
Initially, nightingale floors likely squeaked unintentionally due to the natural settling of homes. However, recognizing their potential as an alert system, builders began designing floors to intentionally produce sounds. This unique feature may have played a crucial role in safeguarding wealth and lives throughout Japanese history.
The installation of these clamps was costly and far more intricate than constructing standard silent floors. As a result, only royalty and the extremely wealthy—or perhaps the overly cautious—could afford to incorporate squeaky floors into their homes.
To avoid being mistaken for intruders, guards in royal palaces walked in a distinct rhythm, signaling their presence as non-threatening. Intruders, however, were often unaware of the floor's design, as nightingale floors appeared identical to regular floors from above.
Nightingale floors may have served as an effective countermeasure against ninjas, who were notorious for their stealth in 17th-century Japan. Ninjas, skilled in espionage and assassination, could execute tasks ranging from theft to murder. Today, however, the ninja tradition is largely a relic of the past, with their legendary skills in swordsmanship, secrecy, and contract killings now mostly obsolete, making it nearly impossible to earn a living as a ninja.
