A Japanese Alcove 01

Remodeling House Ideas : A Japanese Alcove 01

The development of the Japanese alcove (tokonoma) was influenced by a change in art connoisseurship several hundred years ago. In the Kamakura (1185-1392) and Muromachi (1392-1568) periods, a large number of Chinese paintings and art objects were imported into Japan and became the primary focus of attention. Among these imported art works, the hanging scroll figured particularly prominently. It became customary to hang this on the wall, with a low table placed before it furnished with such articles as a candlestand, a censer, or a vase. What was at first a movable display space gradually came to be an immovable fixture, staggered shelves (see opposite page) were added, and the alcove became a part of the interior plan. It is found today in the drawing room or tea ceremony room in homes, and in Japanese-style rooms in hotels.

Construction of the Base

Since it was originally designed as a display dais, the base of the alcove is generally raised slightly. There are many ways of doing this. The most commonly used method these days is to use a wooden beam about 4-6 inches high, either rounded or square, to mark the division between the alcove and the floor of the room, and then to make the alcove floor of wood or tatami the same height. Formerly, it was common to raise it higher than this, by inserting a riser under the beam to increase the height up to 8-12 inches.

Another method is to make the alcove the same level as the floor of the room. In this case it is necessary to distinguish this from the rest of the room by using a different kind of material, whereas the base of the raised alcove described above can be made of the same material. To build this kind of floor-level alcove in a carpeted room, for example, one can make an area of wooden flooring, 12-20 inches in width, along one side of a room. The existing wall space can be used for a hanging display, and the wooden area for exhibiting flower arrangements.

A simpler form is the hanging alcove. (See bottom photo on this page.) This is particularly suitable for relatively small rooms. Since the platform is suspended from the ceiling, it allows room for an ordinary floor beneath it.

FRONT VIEW OF ALCOVE


CROSS SECTION

An overhang conceals the peg and the thick threads by which scrolls are hung.

CROSS SECTION OF BASE

Different materials are possible, but tatami and wood are most commonly used. The wood edging is from 4-6 in., in height and may be raised another 8-12 in.