Tokonoma

A tokonoma (床の間),[1] or simply toko (床),[2][3] is a recessed space in a Japanese-style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed.

In the room of the monastery, there was a board called oshiita (押板) which displayed Buddhist altar fittings such as candlesticks, incense burners and vases.

[6] The items typically displayed in a tokonoma are calligraphic or pictorial scrolls and an ikebana flower arrangement.

[8] The pillar on one side of the tokonoma, called toko-bashira (床柱), is usually made of wood, specially prepared for the purpose.

It can range from a seemingly raw trunk with bark still attached, to a square piece of heart wood with very straight grain.