tokonoma
/ˌtoʊkəˈnoʊmə/
noun
- A recessed alcove in a traditional Japanese room, used to display a scroll, flower arrangement, or other decorative object.
- The tokonoma is the most honored space in a traditional Japanese home.
- The family placed a beautiful vase of cherry blossoms in the tokonoma for the spring festival.
- In the tea room, the tokonoma held a simple calligraphy scroll and a single flower.