The tsukeshoin (writing or desk alcove), as described by Ito Teiji as "the framed alcove with four shoji placed on the side of the tokonoma in the manner of modern shoin architecture. The alcove was built around a wooden desk or bench-like structure." The tsukeshoin most likely dates back to the Kamakura period, since it appears in many picture scrolls of the late 13th and 14th early Centuries, as illustrated in The Pictoral Biography of the Monk Honen. Then, the functional, serving as a space on which on could read or write, however, accounts tell us that it was used as another surface of display.  Similar to the chigai-dana's function of displaying books or tea utensils, specific items were also displayed in the tsukeshoin. Generally these items were writing implements like: a water jar, pitcher, brush tray, short knife, seal case, and scrolls, as catalogued in 1430 in a kaisho of one of the sub temples at Daigoji. By 1511, the Kundaikan socho-ki tea ceremony manual, it was recorded that the shoin decoration was completely standardized. As we see it today the original function of the space has been lost.
 
 

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