The traditional Japanese room is a multi-purpose space that serves as the living room, bedroom and study. Large closets (called oshi-ire) built into the walls are used to store bedding, clothes and furniture for rearranging the room at will. Moisture-absorbent straw mats (tatami) cover the floor and the rooms are divided by wooden-framed translucent sliding paper screens (shoji). The alcove (tokonoma) serves as a decorative space for flowers or hanging scrolls.