Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
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Every good design needs a focal point—including interior living spaces. In many
Western homes, the mantelpiece in the living room is a focal point from which other
interior design elements are added in a more or less symmetrical fashion. In
traditional Japanese homes or modern homes containing a washitsu (Japanese-
style room), the tokonoma ( ) serves as the subtle focal point for the interior.
The tokonoma (floor/bed + space) is a raised alcove in which Japanese art such as
a hanging scroll (kakemono) or a flower arrangement is displayed.
The custom of having this built-in recessed space in a Japanese room goes back
more than 500 years. While the tokonoma has lost much of its early religious nature,
it's still very much an honored part of the Japanese room. Standing inside the
tokonoma is not allowed. When you gather in a traditional Japanese room, the most
honored guest is seated in front of the tokonoma. However, in another example of
traditional Japanese refinement and humility, the guest is traditionally seated facing
away from the tokonoma, so the homeowner does not appear to be showing off the
artistic content of the tokonoma. In the West, the mantel often has a large picture or
other artifact hanging above it that remains for years. By contrast, the artwork in the
tokonoma changes throughout the year based on the season or the occasion.
Historically, the Japanese people did not use furniture; they sat on warm and
comfortable tatami mats. Therefore, washitsu rooms felt spacious regardless of
size—there was virtually nothing else in the room to distract your attention. The
emptiness or exclusion of nonessential decoration allows even the smallest rooms
to feel more spacious and guides the eyes to the focal point of the room.
