床(とこ)の間(ま)

とこのま

noun

alcove in Japanese room

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)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.

床(とこ)の間(ま)のある和室(わしつ)。

A Japanese-style room with an alcove.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:
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:

掛(か)け軸(じく): hanging scroll
生(い)け花(ばな): flower arrangement
置物(おきもの): decorative objects

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.

general

Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.1.27 16:29

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