TRADITIONAL PERFORMING ARTS
Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009
The Heisei Grand Tea Ceremony: the spirit of harmony; the spirit of tea.
Outline
The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009 is designed to provide an opportunity for anyone to experience the Japanese tea culture. Its purpose is to familiarize the citizens of Tokyo with traditional tea culture, and to introduce tourists visiting the Tokyo area to the Edo/Tokyo way of life throughout culture in which the tea culture has been cherished.
An introduction of basic tea ceremony etiquette will be provided for those who have never attended a tea ceremony and for overseas tourists so that they can experience the Japanese traditional culture of the tea ceremony.
Enjoy drinking Japanese tea and spend a luxurious autumn day at Hama Rikyu Gardens and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
An introduction of basic tea ceremony etiquette will be provided for those who have never attended a tea ceremony and for overseas tourists so that they can experience the Japanese traditional culture of the tea ceremony.
Enjoy drinking Japanese tea and spend a luxurious autumn day at Hama Rikyu Gardens and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum.
Synopsis
The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009 is the first large-scale tea ceremony to be held at the Hama Rikyu Gardens and the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. The ceremony will feature an “Indoor tea ceremony,” a “Casual outdoor tea ceremony,” and an “Introduction to the tea cultures of China, England, and Russia and the culture of Edo/Tokyo.”
While sipping tea, visitors can enjoy fine views of the landscaped garden surrounding Shioiri Pond, which has an assembly hall on an isle, as well as Nakajima Green Tea House and the Hobai-tei building, all within the Hama Rikyu Gardens.
In addition to an introduction to how to make a delicious cup of tea, performing events will be offered as an attraction for the many guests. These include elegant dance performances by geisha girls and the performance of traditional Japanese music in cooperation with the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
The event will feature a “Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English” for non-Japanese visitors (only at the Hama Rikyu Gardens) and Kid’s Tea ceremony.
Various historic structures built between the Edo era and the early years of the Showa period are preserved at Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Visitors can enjoy an indoor tea ceremony and an outdoor tea ceremony in these historic surroundings.
While sipping tea, visitors can enjoy fine views of the landscaped garden surrounding Shioiri Pond, which has an assembly hall on an isle, as well as Nakajima Green Tea House and the Hobai-tei building, all within the Hama Rikyu Gardens.
In addition to an introduction to how to make a delicious cup of tea, performing events will be offered as an attraction for the many guests. These include elegant dance performances by geisha girls and the performance of traditional Japanese music in cooperation with the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
The event will feature a “Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English” for non-Japanese visitors (only at the Hama Rikyu Gardens) and Kid’s Tea ceremony.
Various historic structures built between the Edo era and the early years of the Showa period are preserved at Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Visitors can enjoy an indoor tea ceremony and an outdoor tea ceremony in these historic surroundings.
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With the full collaboration of the Tokyo Association of Flower Arrangement and Tea Ceremony, the Koganei City Culture Association and the Kokubunji City Association of Tea Ceremony, various tea ceremony schools will participate in this tea ceremony.
* Details will be updated on official homepage of Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009
* Details will be updated on official homepage of Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009
Venue (1)
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (3-7-1 Sakuramachi, Koganei-shi Tokyo, inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Koganei Park)
Schedule
Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2009 10:00 - 15:30
(＊Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: open 9:30 - 16:30, Last admission at 16:00）
(＊Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum: open 9:30 - 16:30, Last admission at 16:00）
Fee
Entrance fee:
Admission free during the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony
Tea ceremony fee (with ticket for Japanese sweets)
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony: \200, Kid’s Tea ceremony: \200
Access:
From the North Exit of Musashi-Koganei station on the JR Chuo Line, take a Seibu bus and get off at Koganei Koen Nishiguchi (5 minutes)
or take a Kanto bus and get off at Edo-Tokyo Tatemono-en Mae (5 minutes)
From Higashi-Koganei station on the JR Chuo Line, take a CoCo bus and get off at Tatemono-en Iriguchi (6 minutes)
From Hanakoganei station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, take a Seibu bus and get off at Koganei Koen Nishiguchi (5 minutes)
Admission free during the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony
Tea ceremony fee (with ticket for Japanese sweets)
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony: \200, Kid’s Tea ceremony: \200
Access:
From the North Exit of Musashi-Koganei station on the JR Chuo Line, take a Seibu bus and get off at Koganei Koen Nishiguchi (5 minutes)
or take a Kanto bus and get off at Edo-Tokyo Tatemono-en Mae (5 minutes)
From Higashi-Koganei station on the JR Chuo Line, take a CoCo bus and get off at Tatemono-en Iriguchi (6 minutes)
From Hanakoganei station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, take a Seibu bus and get off at Koganei Koen Nishiguchi (5 minutes)
Venue (2)
Hama Rikyu Gardens (1-1 Hama Rikyu Teien, Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Schedule
Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 2009 9:30 - 16:00.
（＊Hama Rikyu Gardens: open 9:30 - 16:30, Last admission at 16:00）
（＊Hama Rikyu Gardens: open 9:30 - 16:30, Last admission at 16:00）
Fee
Entrance fee：
Adults: \300, Seniors (65 and above): \150, Elementary school children and middle school students who live or go to school in Tokyo are free.
Tea ceremony fee (with ticket for Japanese sweets)
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony: \200, Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English: \300, Kid’s Tea ceremony: \200
Access (Otemon Entrance):
7 minutes walk from Tsukiji Shijo station or Shiodome station on the Toei Oedo Line, or Shiodome station on the Yurikamome Line
15 minutes walk from Shimbashi station on the JR Line, Ginza Line (Metro) and Toei Asakusa Line
Adults: \300, Seniors (65 and above): \150, Elementary school children and middle school students who live or go to school in Tokyo are free.
Tea ceremony fee (with ticket for Japanese sweets)
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony: \200, Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English: \300, Kid’s Tea ceremony: \200
Access (Otemon Entrance):
7 minutes walk from Tsukiji Shijo station or Shiodome station on the Toei Oedo Line, or Shiodome station on the Yurikamome Line
15 minutes walk from Shimbashi station on the JR Line, Ginza Line (Metro) and Toei Asakusa Line
Event Report
Once again this year, the “Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2009” was held at two locations: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (Koganei-City) on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2009; and Hama Rikyu Gardens (Chuo-Ward) on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2009. These tea ceremonies were enjoyed by as many as 18,400 visitors. In addition to a traditional indoor tea ceremony and an outdoor tea ceremony performed by various schools, lessons for children with parents “Kid’s Tea ceremony”, and an outdoor tea ceremony with English explanations “Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English” were also hosted. Visitors also enjoyed stage performances and events, lectures on tea, and booths exhibiting tea related items.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Admission to Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum was free during the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, attended by approximately 8,800 visitors over the two days. Visitors enjoyed an indoor tea ceremony held in historical buildings of high cultural interest, an outdoor tea ceremony, and Rakugo (traditional Japanese comedy) and shamisen performances on a stage set in a Kodakara-yu, a Japanese public bathhouse replica.
(1) Cha-seki Indoor Tea Ceremony (Takahashi Korekiyo-tei, Nishikawa-ke)
Traditional tea ceremonies were performed in the home of Korekiyo Takahashi, a politician active from the Meiji to the Showa periods, and in a historical building built in the Taisho period by a businessman of Kitatama area to entertain guests.
Reservations were required for this event, in which approximately 660 people participated over the two days.
Traditional tea ceremonies were performed in the home of Korekiyo Takahashi, a politician active from the Meiji to the Showa periods, and in a historical building built in the Taisho period by a businessman of Kitatama area to entertain guests.
Reservations were required for this event, in which approximately 660 people participated over the two days.
(2) Nodate Outdoor Tea Ceremony (Date-ke-no-mon gate)
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony was performed before the front gate (Date-ke-no-mon gate) of a Tokyo mansion built during the Taisho period by the Date clan of the former Uwajima Domain.
This event attracted over 1,000 people from those visiting the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum over the two days.
Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony was performed before the front gate (Date-ke-no-mon gate) of a Tokyo mansion built during the Taisho period by the Date clan of the former Uwajima Domain.
This event attracted over 1,000 people from those visiting the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum over the two days.
(3) Kid’s Tea Ceremony (Tenmyo-ke)
Tea ceremony lessons for children of middle school age and younger and their parents were held in the farmhouse of the Tenmyo Family, who during the late Edo period served as “Nanushi” (village officer) in what is now Ota-Ward.
Approximately 500 children and parents attended this event over the two days to learn tea ceremony customs and the spirit of hospitality.
Tea ceremony lessons for children of middle school age and younger and their parents were held in the farmhouse of the Tenmyo Family, who during the late Edo period served as “Nanushi” (village officer) in what is now Ota-Ward.
Approximately 500 children and parents attended this event over the two days to learn tea ceremony customs and the spirit of hospitality.
(4) Stage Performance and Events (Kodakarayu)
Various events were held in the restored, typical Tokyo public bathhouse (built in 1929), built to resemble a shrine or a temple.
Visitors enjoyed traditional Japanese music played on the Tsugaru ?jamisen (shamisen), as well as Rakugo (traditional Japanese comedy) by master storyteller Yukimaru Katsura, in a spacious bath chamber featuring a high ceiling.
Rakugo: Yukimaru Katsura
Tsugaru-jamisen (shamisen): Sho Asano
Various events were held in the restored, typical Tokyo public bathhouse (built in 1929), built to resemble a shrine or a temple.
Visitors enjoyed traditional Japanese music played on the Tsugaru ?jamisen (shamisen), as well as Rakugo (traditional Japanese comedy) by master storyteller Yukimaru Katsura, in a spacious bath chamber featuring a high ceiling.
Rakugo: Yukimaru Katsura
Tsugaru-jamisen (shamisen): Sho Asano
Hama Rikyu Gardens
Hama Rikyu Gardens is a typical Daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) garden of the Edo period, and has been designated a national scenic spot. Visitors participated in the “Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony” while enjoying elegant buildings and the beauty of the garden landscape. In addition to traditional tea ceremonies performed in teahouses such as Nakajima-no-ochaya and Hobai-tei, the event included tea ceremony lessons for children and parents as well as an outdoor tea ceremony with English explanations. In Uchibori Hiroba, stage performances and events were organized for visitors to become more familiar with Japanese culture and traditions, including the tea culture. Some of these events include “Introduction of tea in the world” and “Lectures on how to prepare tea.”
(1) Cha-seki Indoor Tea Ceremony (Nakajima-no-ochaya, Hobaitei)
Traditional tea ceremonies were performed in two elegant teahouses: the quaint Nakajima-no-ochaya which is beautifully reflected on the surface of Shioiri-no-ike (Shioiri Pond), and the Hobai-tei located amidst an abundance of greenery. Reservations were required for this event in which approximately 1,300 people participated over the two days.
Traditional tea ceremonies were performed in two elegant teahouses: the quaint Nakajima-no-ochaya which is beautifully reflected on the surface of Shioiri-no-ike (Shioiri Pond), and the Hobai-tei located amidst an abundance of greenery. Reservations were required for this event in which approximately 1,300 people participated over the two days.
(2) Nodate Outdoor Tea Ceremony (in front of Yagaitaku Hiroba)
Under the autumn sky, four outdoor tea ceremonies were performed simultaneously. Different types of Japanese cakes were prepared for each tea ceremony. This event attracted approximately 3,600 people from those visiting the Hama Rikyu Gardens over the two days.
Under the autumn sky, four outdoor tea ceremonies were performed simultaneously. Different types of Japanese cakes were prepared for each tea ceremony. This event attracted approximately 3,600 people from those visiting the Hama Rikyu Gardens over the two days.
(3) Kid’s Tea Ceremony/Nodate Outdoor Tea Ceremony in English (Kabokuen)
Tea ceremony lessons for children of middle school age and younger and their parents as well as outdoor tea ceremonies with English explanations were held in Kabokuen.
The Kid’s Tea Ceremony and Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English were held with approximately 400 participants in the morning and afternoon respectively.
Tea ceremony lessons for children of middle school age and younger and their parents as well as outdoor tea ceremonies with English explanations were held in Kabokuen.
The Kid’s Tea Ceremony and Nodate Outdoor tea ceremony in English were held with approximately 400 participants in the morning and afternoon respectively.
(4) Stage Performance and Events (Uchibori Hiroba)
Various stage performances and events were organized in Uchibori Hiroba for visitors to become more familiar with Japanese culture and traditions.
“Geisha Dance”
“Koto and Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) music performances by the Tokyo University of the Arts, Traditional Japanese Music Department”
“The Basics of Tea Ceremony” (in English)
Various stage performances and events were organized in Uchibori Hiroba for visitors to become more familiar with Japanese culture and traditions.
“Geisha Dance”
“Koto and Shakuhachi (bamboo flute) music performances by the Tokyo University of the Arts, Traditional Japanese Music Department”
“The Basics of Tea Ceremony” (in English)
About Tea Ceremony
The tea ceremony is a gathering where guests are received and tea is served in accordance with the art of ceremonial tea-making.
At the tea ceremony, the host and guest place a great deal of importance on their meeting which may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
In October 1587, the feudal warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, hosted a tea ceremony occasion at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, serving tea to his guests whether or not they were interested in tea. It is said that he created over 800 place settings and brought a golden tea room into the shrine and showed off his fine tea-making utensils.
The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, inspired by the famous “Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony,” which was held in October 1587, will observe and carry on the tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony.
At the tea ceremony, the host and guest place a great deal of importance on their meeting which may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence.
In October 1587, the feudal warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, hosted a tea ceremony occasion at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, serving tea to his guests whether or not they were interested in tea. It is said that he created over 800 place settings and brought a golden tea room into the shrine and showed off his fine tea-making utensils.
The Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, inspired by the famous “Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony,” which was held in October 1587, will observe and carry on the tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony.
About Hama Rikyu Gardens
Hama-rikyu Gardens Nakajima Green Tea House
Hama Rikyu Gardens opened in 1946. The park is a 250,215.72 m2 landscaped garden surrounding Shioiri-no-ike Pond and two kamoba, wild duck hunting sites. The park, with 6,077 trees of varying kinds, is a typical Daimyo (Japanese feudal lord) garden of the Edo period.
Until 1644, the whole pond had been reed fields and had been used as a falconry site for Shogun families.
Matsudaira Tsunashige, a younger brother of Tokugawa Ietsuna, the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, built the first villa on the premises, and since then, the garden had undergone landscaping and repair work several times by successive shoguns.
After the Meiji Restoration, the garden and villa became the detached palace of royal families. In 1945, the garden was donated to the Tokyo Metropolis, and was opened to the public the following year.
In November 1952, this garden was appointed as a Special Place of scenic beauty and a Special Historic Site, based on the Cultural Properties Protection Law of Japan.
Until 1644, the whole pond had been reed fields and had been used as a falconry site for Shogun families.
Matsudaira Tsunashige, a younger brother of Tokugawa Ietsuna, the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, built the first villa on the premises, and since then, the garden had undergone landscaping and repair work several times by successive shoguns.
After the Meiji Restoration, the garden and villa became the detached palace of royal families. In 1945, the garden was donated to the Tokyo Metropolis, and was opened to the public the following year.
In November 1952, this garden was appointed as a Special Place of scenic beauty and a Special Historic Site, based on the Cultural Properties Protection Law of Japan.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Takahashi Korekiyo residence
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is an open air museum opened on March 28, 1993. Located inside Koganei Park, this 7-hectare facility showcases 27 reconstructions of various buildings from the Edo era up to the early years of the Showa period. Historic buildings of great cultural value that could not be preserved in their original locations have been transferred here for restoration, preservation and display. The museum aims to pass on these historic buildings as part of our valuable cultural heritage to future generations.
