Why Do People Exhibit A Tree With A Rock In An Alcove?

Greggles

Why is it that people exibit a tree with a rock in an alcove?

Is there some history or reason behind that?

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bonsaial1

Howdy, The alcove or "Tokonoma" has been an integral part of the Japanese home for centuries. The alcove is used for display. It can be for a bonsai, maybe a rock or "Suiseki" or maybe a special vase or Ikabana. In the home it is changed with the seasons and usually reflects the currant season. The use of dry grasses as an accent or just a vase with dry grasses. Sometimes a vase with pussywillow or birch branches are all thats needed to bring nature into the home.

In the Japanese culture man is equal to nature. In the west, man is seen above nature. The Japanese culture has always made time and space to bring nature into the home for reverance or display. The suiseki or stone is symbolic with bonsai and are often displayed together. The stone represents a mountain or plataue, maybe a waterfall or steep ocean cliff. The use of stone in display also dates back many centuries.

The "Tea Ceremony" is sometimes centered around the Tokonoma and the display is studied or revered. The artistic use of accesories such as stands and accent pieces along with stones is under much scrutiny during the ceremony. In the bottom of the alcove is the "Tatami Matt" a reed matt sewn together and about 36" x 72" and 1.5" thick. These matts are about 450.00 to purchase. The alcove is traditionaly made of spruce wood with a natural debarked log as a post or a post of walnut or mahogany. The three posts of the tokonama, the two vertical posts and the horizontal lintal are usually made of three differant types of wood. For instance walnut, mahogany, and a natural log.

This Tokonoma was built in Fresno for the annual GSBF convention here in Nov. It was a raffle prize and won by Gordon Deeg. Pictured are the builders Ben Douglas and Harold Mitchell.

Attached Images

benandmitch.jpg (59.3 KB, 355 views)

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rockm

"In the Japanese culture man is equal to nature. In the west, man is seen above nature."

Not sure if that's true. Could it be closer to "in Japanese culture, man is part of nature. In western culture, man is set apart from it." The point is a fine one and will probably irritate Al, but it could lead to a more inclusive way of thinking about displaying bonsai.

Where the west sees display space as a stage to set pieces up for visual effect, the Japanese aim is not primarily visual, but also emotional. The displays we in the west see as "put 1 here, put 2 there, etc." is only part of the equation. We detach ourselves from the objects. The Japanese try to be part of them through feeling, from what I've seen.

Roughly (and I mean roughly, since I have no formal instruction or knowledge of keido) for the Japanese, a Tokoname display is "put this stone--that has special patina that vaguely reminds me of evening mist--here--while I put this tall pine over here. I will put this scroll of a moon and grass behind. Together, they remind me of when I was a boy in the fall wallking in the fields."

This is probably a long-winded, loopy explanation, but it gets to what a tokoname display is about --emotional response--composition is secondary. This is a hard thing to get around, and heaven knows, I haven't yet--probably never will, but I'm trying...

jemmick

I assume rockm is referring to a tokanoma(display alcove )as opposed to tokoname(which I understand is an area in japan noted for it's quality pots). I am sure it was just a typo

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Jonathan

Will_Heath

Lets not forget what the three point display symbolizes.



Will

rockm

Jonathan It was a typo. Sorry

rockm

What would the display symbolize?

mike_p

The relationship between earth, man, and heaven.

Mike

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