Japan Tea Ceremony Federation 119th Tea Ceremony at Gokokuji Temple, November 3rd, 2024

After last night's heavy rain, the sky was no cloud and clear blue. On Culture Day, the Japan Tea Ceremony Federation held a tea ceremony at Gokokuji Temple in Tokyo. There were eight rooms, each featuring a different school of tea ceremony.

The 16th headmaster of the Kobori Enshu school, Soen, was in charge of tea ceremony at Mikasa-tei. Mikasa-tei is located next to Furo-mon Gate, in front of Daishido Hall. Mikasa-tei was the first tea room donated to Gokokuji by Takahashi Sou-an. After that, other tea rooms were built one after another, including the Sou-an which is Sanjyo-daime (three tatami tea room with small shelf at host's seat). Mikasa-tei, which has an important history for the tea ceremony at Gokokuji, was recently restored. This is the first tea ceremony in the Kobori Enshu school since its restoration.

The anteroom is Nakamaro-do. The exotic hanging scroll in anteroom grew expectation of the guests. Upon entering the tea room, there was the gorgeous setting which was appropriate for Kairo (opening up Ro - sunken heath). The principal guest was Mr. Obata, president of the Kobori Enshu School Shoraikai. He and the host shared precious memories of the utensils. Once again, deeply struck the meaning of the phrase “一期一会 ichigo ichie (once in a lifetime encounter)."

Left the gate of the temple with lingering memories of this wonderful autumn day.