2019

Ceremony & Event

Tea ceremony’s history & spirits

Tea ceremony grew out of the culture and customs of the old samurai class, servants of feudal lords and was strongly influenced by Buddhism. The Buddhism monk Eisai is believed to have brought the tea leaves from China to Japan as a medicine for the first time in 12th century. As it contained caffein it was used to keep the Buddhist monk awake during meditation. The habit of drinking tea spread to among Buddhist monks, the wealthy and the noble. Around 16th century Murata Juko started tea ceremony and he is said to have brought the heart and soul into the tea ceremony. The Takeno jo-o succeeded him and made […]

tea ceremony icon
Ceremony & Event

How to enjoy Tea Ceremony

  When you are served tea, first, place the tea bowl between you and the next guest. Then bow to the left saying “Osakini chodai itashimasu”. (Excuse me for going before you. ) 2. Bow to the host saying “Otemae chodai itashimasu.”　(Thank you for the tea. ) 3. Then take the tea bowl with your right hand, and place the bowl on the left palm. 4. Bow slightly to express thanks and then turn the bowl clockwise twice in order to avoid its front. 5. Take sips several times (2 or 3 times) to the last sip. 5. Wipe the place you drank from with thumb and index finger. Wipe […]

Yukata, summer festival
Ceremony & Event

How to enjoy Japanese summer : Hanabi fire work & Senko Hanabi sparkler

Japanese summer is hot and humid. So Japanese invented many ways to spend this season comfortably. Hanabi Fire work One way is to enjoy Hanabi firework at night. The people gather at riverside or beach to see firework. There are many food stands selling watagashi sugar cotton candy, takoyaki octopus dumplings and Yakisoba fried soba noodle and others. Kids enjoy fishing goldfish and yo-yo colorful balloons with the parents, grandpa and grandma all together. Couples wearing Yukata light cotton kimono and having Uchiwa round fan date at night to escape from the summer heat. More and more fashionable and unique fire works appear to entertain the people gathered. Senko hanabi […]

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Nakamise, Asakusa picture scroll of shutter

Why not take an evening stroll down the quiet Nakamise street of Sensoji temple? When the shops start to close, the beautiful Emaki (picture scrolls) appear on shutters instead. In 1992, some artists gathered under the direction of a famous Japanese artist named Ikuo Hirayama and painted on the shutters of Nakamise shops. Various artworks include the Sanja festival, senko hanabi sparklers, cherry blossoms, and other beautiful scenery that embody the Edo atmosphere. Nakamise is one of the oldest shopping streets around. It stretches roughly 250 meters from Thunder gate to the second gate, Hozomon. The street is lined with about 89 stores selling Japanese traditional souvenirs.  Here you can […]

three storied pagoda
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Naritasan Shinshoji temple, Chiba

If you have half day layover at  Narita Air port why don’t you visit Naritasan Shinshoji temple, landmark of Narita? Naitasan Shinhoji temple is the head temple of Shingonshu sect and ranked one of top three temple of Kanto region and visited by about 10 million people every year.  History of Naritasan Shinshoji Founded in 1070 and rebuilt in 2008 Naritasan Shinshoji temple is Shingon sect Buddhist temple and Fudo myoo is the main deity of the temple. In 939 when the nation was in upheaval by a revolt Archbishop Kanjo conducted a goma rite in front of image of Fudo-Myoo deity for 21 days, praying for the sake of […]