Tokonoma
A raised alcove in a traditional Japanese room where a scroll and a flower arrangement are displayed.
Also: toko
The tokonoma is a shallow recess, one step above the floor, in the main room of a traditional Japanese house or tea room. It holds a hanging scroll and often a single flower arrangement or object, chosen for the season and the guest. People do not step into it. For centuries it was the setting ikebana was designed for, which is why classical arrangements are made to be seen from the front.