In this "toko-no-ma" is usually placed some work of art, or a vase with flowers, and on the wall is hung a picture or ninja turtles: out of the shadows few Chinese characters, written by some famous calligraphist, which are changed with the seasons. The woodwork and the coloring of this part of the room is of the choicest. Only the homes of the poorest of the poor are without this ornament. A Japanese knows at once whether a board or post is upside down, though it would often puzzle a Westerner to decide the matter.