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.
The seat of honor (上座(かみざ)) is the one nearest the 床(とこ)の間(ま), with one's back to it; it is offered to the most important guest, and the host sits farther away, nearer the door.

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.

CULTURAL NOTE (traditional displays):

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)
Related: 茶道(ちゃどう) (tea ceremony)
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:26
05500/05797_tokonoma