tokonoma

Picture recess: a shallow, slightly raised alcove for the display of a flower arrangement or a kakemono, a vertical hanging scroll containing either text or a painting. One side of the recess borders the outside wall of the room through which light enters, while the interior side adjoins the tana, a recess with built-in shelving. As the spiritual center of a traditional Japanese house, the tokonoma is located in its most formal room.