Structure of Formal Japanese Style Rooms and Upper / Lower Seat
(Hongatte,Gyakugatte,Formal Disposition)

In a Japanese style room, "lower" and "upper" seat is determined by the standard disposition of "tokonoma"(the alcove) and "tokowakidana" (space next to the alcove). Since tokonoma had been the sacred place of service in a Japanese style room, this alcove is the highest in position. The one who takes this position will face his/her back to the tokonoma(alcove). But in general, they sit with their sides facing the tokonoma (alcove). The disposition of tokowakidana and the host's position indicates the guest-host relationship.

The tokonoma positioned on the right side and the tokowakidana on the left of the room is called the "hongatte" (the standard). In this type of the room, the guest's position (upper seat) will be on the right side, and the host's position (lower seat) on the left side of the room.

"Gyakugatte" is the very opposite of "hongatte". The tokonoma on the left, tokowakidana on the right. Therefore , the guest's position is on the left, and the host's on the right.

At general visits, sit by the side of the tokonoma.

UPPER AND LOWER SEAT IN WESTERN STYLE ROOMS

In western style rooms , it would be proper to consider the seat nearest to the door as lower seat, and the seat at the inner part of the room as upper seat. But when this seat is directly facing the door, disturbing the concentration of the guest, it should not be considered as an upper seat. In this type of a room, it may be necessary to set a single chair or a sofa where the host considers to be the upper seat.