Beauty Practice
Zen Clocks have been inspired by the beautiful aesthetic sensibilities of feudal Japanese art and architecture. And one of our favorite Japanese institutions in this area is the Tokonoma.
Colorado Company: Now & Zen, Inc
Here’s a brief description:
Tokonoma, also referred to simply as toko, is a Japanese term generally referring to a built-in recessed space in a Japanese style reception room, in which items for artistic appreciation are displayed. In English, tokonoma is usually called alcove.
Ukiyo-e Tokonoma Print from 'Pictures of the Floating World'
When seating guests in a Japanese-style room, the correct etiquette is to seat the most important guest with his or her back facing the tokonoma. This is because of modesty; the host should not be seen to show off the contents of the tokonoma to the guest, and thus it is necessary not to point the guest towards the tokonoma. Stepping up inside it is strictly forbidden.
Tokonoma in Yurt
The pillar on one side of the tokonoma is usually made of a raw trunk of wood.
Now & Zen's Founder, Steve McIntosh Builds a Tokonoma in a Yurt
American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was influenced by Japanese architecture. He translated the meaning of the tokonoma into its western counterpart: the fireplace. This gesture became more of a ceremonial core in his architecture.
