One might also think of textured silk, tatami floor mats, and the elaborate needlework of kimonos and obi s. Interior finishes can be highly opposing and contrasting, and yet achieve balance. Examples are, highly polished floors with heavily textured mats, a lacquered box displayed on top of a rough wooden table, or white pebbles on a polished black granite ledge around a tub. Japanese homes also commonly have display alcoves, called tokonoma. For example, three calligraphy brushes in a cup would be organic, and four pebbles on a dish would be disciplined.
Japanese displays are fluid.
In other words, a Japanese alcove may display a scroll one-week, and a set of pots the next. Eastern cultures tend to store and rotate objects. Japanese displays are a reflection of the season, celebration, or honored guest. This minimal approach focuses on the quality and craftsmanship. A westerner would also tend to add to a display to create a balance, whereas an easterner would create harmony by taking away.