THE event and THE SPACE
By Hans Karlsson
Audio introduction
An Italian student at Ho-Ca experiences her first tea ceremony.
Ah, my dear friend, let me regale you with a tale of the Japanese tea ceremony, a delightful cultural tradition that has been practised for centuries in the Land of the Rising Sun. You see, this ceremony, also known as Chanoyu, Chado, or Sado, is a rather splendid way of preparing and drinking green tea, involving very particular places, procedures, and equipment.
Now, this tea ceremony has its roots in the principles of Zen Buddhism, and it's all about the reverence of beauty in our daily lives. It's a rather aesthetic way of welcoming guests, where everything is done according to an established order, much like a well-choreographed dance. The origins of this ritual can be traced back to China, and it was first practised in Japan during the Kamakura period by Zen monks who apparently needed a little pick-me-up to stay awake during those long meditation sessions. Over time, the tea ceremony evolved, thanks in part to the 16th-century monk and tea master Sen no Rikyu, who added a touch of refinement and intimacy to the whole affair.
The tea utensils in the tea master's corner in the Kamawa-an tea room in Tajimi
In the Japanese tea ceremony, everyone sits on the floor, and all the guests share a single tea bowl, which is like the star of the ritual. This is quite different from the Chinese style tea ceremony, where loose-leaf tea is used, and the focus is more on the enjoyment and taste of the tea itself. The mightiest warlords in mediaeval Japan loved the tea ceremony and the tea bowls, and the tea room was a place where they could meet important people during the long civil war in Japan.
Nowadays, the tea ceremony is enjoyed by many as a hobby, and there are even places where tourists can experience it for themselves. It's become a quintessential part of Japanese culture, representing harmony, respect, purity, and tranquilly. This time we will introduce two places in Tajimi where you can enjoy the ceremony in an unpretentious and fun way, as well as the space where the ceremony is performed.
So, my dear, as you sip your tea and ponder the intricacies of this ancient tradition, remember to cherish the moment and the connections it fosters. After all, as the Japanese idiom "ichi go ichi e" reminds us, each encounter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ho-ca’s Ocha-kai
In the quaint town of Tajimi, the Ho-Ca studio has become quite the hotspot for globe-trotting pottery enthusiasts. These artistic adventurers often find themselves drawn to the creation of chawan, or tea bowls, despite their often limited knowledge of the tea ceremony where these delightful vessels take centre stage. You see, the chawan is not merely a bowl but a symbol deeply intertwined with the art of Sado. So, dear aspiring chawan creator, we humbly suggest that you immerse yourself in a tea ceremony to truly grasp the essence of your craft.
However, be warned! Sado, the way of tea, is a rich and complex culture that may prove elusive to the uninitiated. Fear not, for Ho-Ca has devised a solution: a less formal tea party for its eager students. This delightful gathering offers a more approachable introduction to the world of chawan and its significance, ensuring that your pottery pursuits are steeped in understanding.
However, be warned! Sado, the way of tea, is a rich and complex culture that may prove elusive to the uninitiated. Fear not, for Ho-Ca has devised a solution: a less formal tea party for its eager students. This delightful gathering offers a more approachable introduction to the world of chawan and its significance, ensuring that your pottery pursuits are steeped in understanding.
Allow me to regale you with a tale of Shibata-sensei, the esteemed master at Ho-Ca. In the picturesque town of Tajimi, nestled within the ceramic park and the Gifu Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, lies a charming tea room. Here, our venerable sensei and his assistant tea master shall guide you through a delightfully simplified tea ceremony, where you shall learn the art of receiving a bowl of exquisite macha and partaking in traditional sweets.
Pottery master Shibata admires a tea bowl before drinking his tea. In front traditional sweets that are served to each guest in the ritual.
Ho-Ca is diligently refining this experience, striving to make it as accessible and light-hearted as possible. Imagine the joy of using your very own handcrafted bowl in this ceremony, lending a newfound significance to your creation.
But the festivities do not end there, my dear reader. Shibata-sensei is known to host splendid soirées where one can indulge in a smorgasbord of local delicacies and student-prepared dishes. Picture, if you will, a recent gathering where a lovely Italian student regaled us with her Sicilian-style spaghetti, having earlier graced the tea ceremony in a resplendent yukata. Ah, the memories we make in such delightful company!
In the evening, Shibata-sensei likes to have a party with local foods and drinks. Students cook as well - here Sicilian pasta on two big plates. Delicious!
The Kamawa-an Tea Room in Tajimi
Now allow me to regale you with a tale of Japanese tea rooms, or chashitsu, where simplicity and modesty reign supreme, influenced by the 16th-century tea master Sen no Rikyu. Rikyu extolled the virtues of rustic simplicity, seclusion, and the Wabi-sabi philosophy, with a focus on local craftsmanship.
In this delightful narrative, I recount my visit to a modern tea room, which, while adhering to traditional principles, boasts a unique theme. The gracious Mr. Takaya Kato, owner of the establishment, kindly escorted me on a tour, which I captured on video for your viewing pleasure.
In this video, Mr Takaya Kato guides us through the newly built Kamawa-an tea room in the centre of Tajimi City. He appears in casual dress, but during the tea ceremonies he wears a formal tea master attire.
Imagine, dear reader, witnessing Mr. Kato presenting the tokonoma in glorious stereoscopic 180VR video, allowing you to virtually step inside the tea room. To experience this marvel with a Meta Quest headset, simply refer to the information at the bottom of this page. The presentation features an English voiceover, guiding you through the intricacies of the tokonoma—an alcove in a traditional Japanese tea room used for displaying art and other decorative items, such as hanging scrolls, flower arrangements, and calligraphy.
By putting on a VR headset you can experience the tea room as if you were physically there
Contemporary tea room aesthetics artfully blend traditional and modern elements, maintaining simplicity and modesty. Architects experiment with materials and designs, creating minimalist interiors adorned with tatami mats, natural wood, and glass or plastic materials. Modern tea rooms may also incorporate indoor plants, small trees, and striking architectural designs.
In Tajimi, a town renowned for pottery, a local group has crafted a serene and tranquil space inspired by the tradition of tea and themed on pottery.
In Tajimi, a town renowned for pottery, a local group has crafted a serene and tranquil space inspired by the tradition of tea and themed on pottery.
The tea room, Kamawa-an, is built according to ancient tradition but is unique in its subtle nods to the local ceramic culture. Even the gravel in the karesansui, or Japanese dry garden, outside is material used for ceramics production, as are the little white balls displayed in the tokonoma. Materials from the renovation of the 140-year-old house have been carefully repurposed in the modern-looking space, which is more spacious than many historical tea rooms. Imagine a tea room where the walls are lovingly crafted from heat-resistant bricks, the very same used in kilns, and adorned with Mino washi paper from the local region. The result is a delightful and inviting atmosphere that simply warms the heart. The space feels even more expansive when the wall facing the garden is elevated by a motor, allowing the outside and inside to blend seamlessly—a feature seen in many old Japanese buildings.
Mr. Kato and his group plan to open the space for those who wish to partake in the tea ceremony, an experience particularly popular among foreign tourists. You are most welcome to make inquiries on our Contact page. So, immerse yourself in this enchanting world of tea and tradition, where the past and present converge in harmonious union.
EXPERIENCE THE KAMAWA-AN IN VIRTUAL REALITY
We recorded a short presentation by Mr. Takaya Kato, where he shows us the tokono-ma in the Kamawa-an tea room. The Tokono-ma is the most important place in the room, where important objects and symbolism can be found. You will need a VR headset to step into the room and meet Mr. Kato. Access the 2-minute experience in the free YouTube VR application for the Mea Quest headset by searching for “Kamawa-an”. You can also use the free DeoVR application and search for “Tajimi”.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE TEA CEREMONY IN JAPAN
- In the year 815, the monk Eichu returned from China, where tea had already been consumed for more than a thousand years, and personally prepared sencha for the Emperor Saga. This event marked the beginning of the tea ceremony's connection to Zen Buddhism in Japan. (1)
- The Kamakura period (1192–1333) marked a significant development in the tea ceremony, as it became more ritualised and connected to Zen Buddhism, which is why it is often said that the tea ceremony was first practised in Japan during this period.
- "The appreciation of tea expanded from temples to include the warrior class. Early tea gatherings included contests, alcohol, and gambling, along with showing off expensive tea utensils imported from China. As time passed, elements from these early gatherings simplified and evolved into the tea ceremony (chanoyu or sado, the “way of tea”) practiced today". (2)
- These rather crude customs started to fade, partly thanks to the most famous tea master of all, Sen no Rikyo. However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler at the time, ordered him to commit seppuku (ritual suicide). The exact reasons remain unclear.
