Vase

Items in the alcove (tokonoma)

The decorative alcove, or tokonoma, is a small yet important space in the tearoom as the objects arranged there set the theme or tone of a gathering. As with all utensils, the host usually takes great care in selecting what to place in the tokonoma and how to arrange it.

Often, we see a hanging scroll and a simple arrangement of flowers in a vase. An incense container in the tokonoma indicates to the guests that the host will not replenish the open hearth with charcoal during the gathering.