床(とこ)の間(ま)

とこのま
noun
alcove in Japanese room
building
1. alcove, recessed area in traditional Japanese room
A recessed area in a Japanese-style room where art, flowers, or scrolls are displayed.
床(とこ)の間(ま)のある和室(わしつ)。
A Japanese-style room with an alcove.
床(とこ)の間(ま)に掛(か)け軸(じく)を飾(かざ)る。
To display a hanging scroll in the alcove.
床(とこ)の間(ま)には花(はな)が生(い)けてある。
Flowers are arranged in the alcove.

Cultural note

The 床(とこ)の間(ま) is a raised alcove in a traditional Japanese room (和室(わしつ)), considered the spiritual and aesthetic focal point of the room.

Traditional displays

Etiquette

The seat of honor (上座(かみざ)) is closest to the 床(とこ)の間(ま). Guests are traditionally seated with their back to it as a sign of humility, while hosts offer the position facing it.

Note: Modern homes rarely have 床(とこ)の間(ま), but they remain important in traditional inns (旅館(りょかん)) and tea rooms.

Related Words

Related: 和室(わしつ) (Japanese-style room)
Related: 掛(か)け軸(じく) (hanging scroll)
Related: 生(い)け花(ばな) (flower arrangement)
Related: 上座(かみざ) (seat of honor)
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.9.2 11:55
05500/05797_tokonoma