'Fumizukue' Table – Machiya House Features

The low table that you see in the back of this Japanese room is called a “fumizukue”. If you have seen traditional ‘emaki’ handscrolls, you have probably seen illustrations of these!

They are designated writing desks, and first appeared in the early Heian period (794-1185). These desks were first used for sutra copying and court and government offices, and eventually aristocrats & monks, too. FYI if you see a ‘fumizukue’ table with a sloping surface on both ends, this was a design to prevent brushes and scrolls from falling out.

You can enjoy this “fumizukue” along with other classically traditional Japanese features at ‘Tasokare’ Machiya House.