The "tokonoma" is a feature of shoin style Japanese homes since the 14th century. It was historically a small space set in a wall...more like a "false room" where scrolls, flower arrangements and favorite objects could be displayed. In a recent bout of re-decorating at Jen's, I decided to try to integrate the sense of the tokonoma into our space and in a way that wouldn't seem too over-the-top, but still function as a place to practice a somewhat formal display of bonsai.
The result is pictured above, what I'm calling our "faux-konoma". We spent a nice day wandering around Philly's chinatown looking for neat little items we could use to accent the trees. We got a couple nice pictoral scrolls, a golden dragon, a double dragon carving, a nice painted silk fan, etc. We also found a really nice porcelain plate covered in dragons. (ok I admit I'm into the chinese dragons since I began collecting 19th century Imperial Chinese Post "coiling dragon" stamps)
Of course these items are all rather obviously Chinese, but they are just fine with me. I don't mind the cultural train wreck. I just think it looks neat and most laypeople probably wouldn't notice the difference anyway. I suppose if anyone wants to argue I can simply call my bonsai "penjing" and end all debate.
