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A , or simply , is a recessed space in a Japanese-style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed. In English, a could be called an
alcove.
History
There are two theories about the predecessor of : the first is that it derives from the room structure of the , which flourished in the
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese. ...
(794–1185) and declined in the
Muromachi period
The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate (''Muromachi bakufu'' or ''Ashikaga bakufu''), which was officially established in 1338 by t ...
(1336–1573); the second is that it derives from the room structure of
Zen
Zen ( zh, t=禪, p=Chán; ja, text= 禅, translit=zen; ko, text=선, translit=Seon; vi, text=Thiền) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty, known as the Chan School (''Chánzong'' 禪宗), and ...
monasteries in the
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the Genpei War, which saw the struggle bet ...
(1185–1333). In the room of the monastery, there was a board called which displayed Buddhist altar fittings such as candlesticks, incense burners and vases. On the wall behind was a hanging scroll with a Buddhist theme. The second theory is that the and the back wall developed into a -style in the Muromachi period.
In , an architectural style developed in the Muromachi period, came to be used as room decoration, and the owner of the house sat in front of decorated with various things to meet guests. However, in the case of important guests, the householder made them sit in front of the to show modesty.
Characteristics
The items typically displayed in a are calligraphic or pictorial
scrolls
A scroll (from the Old French ''escroe'' or ''escroue''), also known as a roll, is a roll of papyrus, parchment, or paper containing writing.
Structure
A scroll is usually partitioned into pages, which are sometimes separate sheets of papyrus ...
and an flower arrangement.
Bonsai
Bonsai ( ja, 盆栽, , tray planting, ) is the Japanese art of growing and training miniature trees in pots, developed from the traditional Chinese art form of ''penjing''. Unlike ''penjing'', which utilizes traditional techniques to produce ...
and are also common—although traditionally, bonsai were not considered worthy for a place of such respect. The and its contents are essential elements of traditional Japanese interior decoration. The word literally means "floor" or "bed"; means "space" or "room".
When seating guests in a Japanese-style room, the correct
etiquette
Etiquette () is the set of norms of personal behaviour in polite society, usually occurring in the form of an ethical code of the expected and accepted social behaviours that accord with the conventions and norms observed and practised by a ...
is to seat the most important guest closest to the as this is in the location furthest from the entrance, a location called the .
Stepping within it is strictly forbidden, except to change the display, when a strict etiquette must be followed.
The pillar on one side of the , called , is usually made of wood, specially prepared for the purpose. It can range from a seemingly raw trunk with bark still attached, to a square piece of heart wood with very straight grain. The choice of determines the level of formality for the .
American architect
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright (June 8, 1867 – April 9, 1959) was an American architect, designer, writer, and educator. He designed more than 1,000 structures over a creative period of 70 years. Wright played a key role in the architectural movements o ...
was influenced by Japanese architecture. He translated the meaning of the into its Western counterpart: the
fireplace
A fireplace or hearth is a structure made of brick, stone or metal designed to contain a fire. Fireplaces are used for the relaxing ambiance they create and for heating a room. Modern fireplaces vary in heat efficiency, depending on the design.
...
.
[Nute, Kevin (1993). ''Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan''. London: Chapman & Hall. p. 61] This gesture became more of a ceremonial core in his architecture.
See also
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Fireplace mantel
The fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a fire grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and ca ...
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Higashiyama culture
The Higashiyama culture (東山文化 ''Higashiyama bunka'') is a segment of Japanese culture that includes innovations in architecture, the visual arts and theatre during the late Muromachi period. It originated and was promoted in the 15th c ...
in the
Muromachi period
The is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga shogunate (''Muromachi bakufu'' or ''Ashikaga bakufu''), which was officially established in 1338 by t ...
References
Further reading
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External links
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{{Authority control
Japanese architectural features
Japanese home
Japanese words and phrases