What Is the Alcove in a Japanese-Style Room For?｜Understanding Its History Reveals How to Use It
About the Author
Certified First-Class Tatami Craftsman / Owner of Higuchi Tatami Shop
Trained at Sawabe Tatami Co., Ltd. in Kyoto, a workshop led by a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" honored with the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, before starting his own business in Edogawa, Tokyo.
Winner of the Kyoto Tatami Competition (Governor’s Award) / Holder of the National First-Class Tatami Craftsman License.
Extensive experience from temples and shrines in Tokyo’s Edogawa ward, to private homes, tea rooms, houseboats, and guesthouses.
When I was training as a tatami craftsman in Kyoto, I came across many beautiful alcoves (tokonoma). In some, there were seasonal flowers arranged in vessels that looked like the magical vase from Hakushon Daimaō (I’m sure purists would scold me for saying that, haha). Even from a distance, the room radiated the essence of Japanese beauty. It was truly a breathtaking sight.
However, while some homes use their alcoves in this elegant way, I often saw others where the space had become little more than storage because people didn’t know how to use it properly.
So, what is the “correct” way to use an alcove in a Japanese-style room? What exactly is a tokonoma, and what is it for? I believe the answer becomes clear when we understand the history behind it.
In this article, I’ll explore what the alcove in a Japanese-style room is used for, and look back at its history to show how it can be appreciated and utilized today.
History of the Tokonoma
There are various theories about the origin of the tokonoma, but it is generally believed to have begun in the residences of Buddhist monks during the Kamakura period.
The earliest form of the tokonoma involved hanging Buddhist paintings or scrolls on walls or sliding doors, with a small raised board placed in front, on which the “three sacred items”—a candle holder, incense burner, and vase—were displayed. Later, this evolved into built-in structures fixed to the walls of rooms.
Another theory suggests that the tokonoma originated from the “toko” in shoin-zukuri architecture. A toko was a slightly raised area within a room, covered with tatami mats, serving as a prestigious seating area for high-ranking individuals. This raised floor is considered the prototype of the tokonoma.
The term “tokonoma” for the raised board (oshiita) came into use around the Momoyama period, influenced by tea masters such as Sen no Rikyū and the development of tea rooms. At that time, under the strong influence of Zen Buddhism and the tea ceremony, decorative tokonoma featuring paintings of birds, flowers, mountains, and water, as well as flower arrangements, emerged alongside the formal toko of shoin-zukuri style, which emphasized status and authority.
From this, we can see that there are two major historical streams in the formation of the tokonoma:
- The sukiya-style tokonoma, influenced by the tea ceremony, which emphasizes simplicity and equality.
- The formal tokonoma found in samurai residences, which emphasizes authority and social rank.
While both are called “tokonoma,” they are fundamentally different in concept—one values egalitarian aesthetics, while the other reflects hierarchical formality.
Forms of the Tokonoma
There are three main forms of the tokonoma:
- Shin (真) – the most formal and elegant type.
- Gyō (行) – a slightly relaxed version of Shin.
- Sō (草) – a simplified and more informal version of Gyō.
Shin is constructed according to precise architectural proportions based on kibari (the dimensional ratios of wooden components, often derived from the cross-section of pillars). It typically includes a side alcove (tokobuki) and a shoin (built-in desk or shelf), and is suited for spacious rooms of eight tatami mats or more, often connected to a veranda.
Gyō represents an intermediate style between Shin and Sō. An example is the fumikomi-doko (stepped alcove), which can also incorporate some of the freedom seen in Sō-style tokonoma.
Sō is a free-form style influenced by sukiya-zukuri architecture, commonly seen in tea rooms. It emphasizes creativity and flexibility rather than strict formality.
Regarding the freedom of Sō-style tokonoma, Sen no Rikyū, who perfected the Wabi-cha aesthetic, left his disciples with this guidance:
“If you understand Shin, then even when you reach Gyō or Sō and create freely, the essence remains unchanged.”
In other words, once you understand the principles of the formal Shin-style tokonoma, you can adapt it into freer forms without losing the fundamental character and spirit of the tokonoma.
Customs and Beliefs Surrounding the Tokonoma
The rules of the tokonoma are largely spiritual in nature, but they also reflect the care and intentions of those who built them.
- Toko-sashi (床刺し)
It is considered inauspicious for beams or boards to appear as if they are “piercing” into the tokonoma. Toko-sashi refers to when a ceiling beam is installed at a right angle, seemingly stabbing into the alcove. The same belief applies to tatami flooring: if the frame of a tatami mat appears to stab into the tokonoma, it is also regarded as unlucky. Both carpenters and tatami craftsmen are mindful of this when constructing or laying out a room. - Placement of the Tokonoma
Traditionally, the ideal placement of a tokonoma is to face either south (kita-doko, with a wall to the north) or east (nishi-doko, with a wall to the west). This orientation was thought to provide protection from both heat in the summer and cold in the winter. In contrast, a north-facing tokonoma was believed to invite gloom, while a west-facing one was considered less desirable because it would not receive the morning sunlight.
How to Use the Tokonoma
The tokonoma is traditionally a space for welcoming and honoring guests. It is a small but important feature of a Japanese-style room, often decorated with seasonal flowers, a hanging scroll, or other ornaments that bring life and character to the room.
As we have seen in its history, the tokonoma developed along two main traditions: the alcove of the tea room and the alcove of the shoin style. Though they reflect different concepts and philosophies, both served the same essential purpose—creating a meaningful space for receiving guests. In the shoin style, the alcove represented a seat of honor for distinguished visitors, while in tea rooms it was used to evoke the beauty of the seasons for guests to appreciate.
In other words, regardless of its form, the tokonoma has always been a place for hospitality. Today, it can still be used to display seasonal flowers, ornaments believed to bring good fortune, or a hanging scroll with words of meaning. Ultimately, how you use the tokonoma is up to you. It may serve as a storage space, as part of a guest room, or as a special corner to enhance the flow of positive energy in the home.
That said, it is worth remembering that the craftsmen and builders who created these alcoves often imbued them with hopes for the household’s prosperity and well-being. Using the tokonoma with that spirit in mind may allow you to connect more deeply with its original purpose.
Thank you for reading.
