Hi everyone! This is LEON from Denei.
At Denei, our mission is to personally experience traditional Japanese culture and share the authentic things we love with.
Recently, I participated in a tea ceremony hosted by a good friend of mine. It was conducted in the style of the Yabuuchi-school (藪内流).
(Note: In the world of Japanese tea ceremony, there are several different traditional schools or “styles.” Each school has its own unique history and distinct way of making tea, and the Yabuuchi-school is one of them!) Here is a report on this experience!
Invited by My Friend, the Future 4th-Generation Owner
The person who invited me today is my friend, Ryotaro Miyashita.
He is the future 4th-generation owner of Miyashita Gofukuten, a traditional kimono shop here in Kyoto. While helping with his family’s business, he also hosts authentic tea ceremony experiences for international visitors.
Previously, Ryotaro joined a Zazen (Zen meditation) session that Denei organized at Myoshinji Temple. It seems he invited me to this tea gathering as a thank-you for that time. Thank you, Ryotaro!
We met up at his kimono shop at 10:30 AM, and he welcomed me with a huge smile. After a brief chat about today’s gathering, we made our way to the tea room.
Stepping Stones and the Crawling Entrance: The Magic of a 4.5-Mat Tea Room
Walking through the garden, I stepped on each stepping stone and purified my hands at the Tsukubai (stone washbasin). I then crouched down to pass through the Nijiriguchi-a small crawling entrance to enter the 4.5-tatami mat tea room.
Once inside, I took a moment to admire the hanging scroll, the flowers, and the incense container displayed in the alcove. I was then served a traditional sweet.
I strongly felt a sense of “unity” that only a 4.5-mat room can create. The lighting was kept dark-just bright enough to barely perceive the green of the matcha. I loved the atmosphere of this space.
Dynamic Movements and the Perfect Bowl of Matcha
This was my first time watching the tea preparation procedure of the Yabuuchi-school.
Ryotaro’s movements were dynamic. Watching him, it almost felt like there was a samurai sitting right in front of me! Personally, I liked this style and was completely drawn in.
While enjoying the sweetness of the wagashi (Japanese sweet) and his beautiful movements, the matcha was ready.
I took a sip… and it was delicious.
A gentle sweetness and umami spread through my mouth, balanced by a comfortable bitterness. After I finished, I found myself mesmerized by the beautiful green matcha left inside the bowl.
After finishing the tea, I was actually given the opportunity to whisk my own bowl of matcha.
In the dim light of the 4.5-mat room, I found myself concentrating much more deeply than in my daily life. The sensation was completely different from how I usually feel when I whisk matcha. I truly felt the “power of the 4.5-mat tea room” firsthand.
A Beautiful Connection in Kyoto
Japan has diverse cultures, each with its own deep charm. This tea gathering made me realize there is still so much I have yet to learn, and made me want to explore even more. We at Denei will continue to experience and share these traditions with you!
[P.S. A Beautiful Kyoto Connection]
I found out that Miyashita Gofukuten actually makes the samue (traditional Japanese work clothes) for the president of Shioyoshiken, a highly prestigious traditional sweets shop in Kyoto. Amazingly, Shioyoshiken is the exact same shop that makes the premium Jonamagashi (fresh sweets) we serve to our guests during Denei’s experiences! Hearing this made me deeply feel the connections in the city of Kyoto.
Want to experience Ryotaro’s Tea Ceremony?
If you are visiting Kyoto, we highly recommend checking out his tea ceremony experience!
