tokonoma
1
9.9
A built-in space in a traditional Japanese room for showing art or flowers
- noun
- /ˌtoʊkəˈnoʊmə/
- Specialized
:
tokonoma
- Visitors admired the tokonoma, where a simple yet striking display of art and flowers captured the spirit of the room.
- washitsu tokonoma
Examples
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In the traditional tea ceremony, the host carefully arranged the flowers in the tokonoma to reflect the season.
-
Although many people consider tatami mats the main feature of a Japanese-style room, its real centerpiece is the display area, or tokonoma.
Academic text (1997) -
The tokonoma featured an elegant hanging scroll and a beautiful ikebana arrangement, showcasing the art of Japanese decor.
How Decorative
Surface Forms
Etymology
Tokonoma comes from Japanese parts toko 'floor' and ma 'space'. It names the built-in 'floor space' or small 'alcove' in a traditional room where special scrolls, flowers, or art are shown, which is why a tokonoma is used to display important objects.