Thekamiza (Japanese:上座) is the "top seat" within a room, meaning theseat of honor; the term also applies to the best seats in air-planes, trains, and cars. The antonym, meaning "bottom seat," isshimoza (下座). In a room, thekamiza is the seat or position that is most comfortable, usually furthest from the door – because this is warmest, and was safest from attack back in thefeudal period. In a traditionalwashitsu room, it would often be azabuton placed so the person sitting there has his back to thetokonoma; thekamiza is the spot closest to thetokonoma or simply farthest from the door in a room lacking atokonoma. In aWestern-style room, it would be a comfortablearmchair orsofa, or the head of a table. The term is general, and does not only apply toJapanese culture.[dubious –discuss]
When entering a roomin Japan on a formal occasion, participants are expected to assume the correct seating position, and to leave thekamiza free for the most important person present, either a guest of honor or the person of highest rank. However, if one humbly sits somewhere indicative of lower status and is then encouraged by the host to move to thekamiza, it is acceptable to do so.
The best seats in acar in descending order of rank are: directly behind the driver, behind the front passenger, in the middle of the back seat, front passenger seat, driver.[citation needed] Inair-plane ortrain passenger seating, the "top seat" is the window-side, followed by the aisle seat and then the middle seat.[citation needed]
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