noun
translucent paper sliding door; shoji screen that lets in light
A traditional Japanese sliding door made of a wooden lattice covered with translucent paper, designed to admit light while maintaining privacy. Often used in washitsu (Japanese-style rooms).
和室の明かり障子から柔らかな光が差し込んでいる。
Soft light is coming in through the shoji screen in the Japanese-style room.
Compound of 明かり (akari, 'light') + 障子 (shōji, 'paper sliding door'). The term describes a shoji screen specifically designed to transmit light.