Camellia Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

The Samurai and the Lady of Tea

Bonson Lam Jun 10, 2014 - 2 minutos de lectura

<p>Atsuko taking us on a journey to the heart of Japanese culture at her tea house</p>

<p>The Samurai display is a symbol of strength and wisdom for the Children's Day festivities</p>

<p>Atsuko the tea master is a lady of grace and humor</p>

<p>All is still as the sunlight lights the tea room like a theater about to begin</p>

<p>Seasonal Scrolls and decorations point us to the interaction between nature and the tea ceremony</p>

<p>A samurai decoration at Camellia Tea Ceremony in Kyoto</p>

<p>Light and shade at Camellia Tea Ceremony in Kyoto</p>

<p>The many steps of the tea ceremony is like martial arts in practice.  Disciplined, elegant and calm.</p>

<p>A dance with the ways of tea in Kyoto</p>

<p>All you hear is the sound of water and the calming of your mind at this Kyoto tea ceremony</p>

<p>The Tea Utensils are masterpieces in their own right</p>

<p>Atsuko and her assistant are friendly and gracious</p>

<p>Seasonal Kimonos are part of the charm of this tea house</p>

<p>Atsuko in her element. She speaks fluent English but this is something with universal appeal.</p>

Note: For the remainder of 2020 Camellia Flower Teahouse and Camellia Garden Teahouse will be open at weekends only. Every tea ceremony will be private, cost 3000 yen per person and last for 45 minutes. Please book 24 hours in advance.

For first timers there is little in common between the Samurai and the tea ceremony. Little did I know, but there are several ways of presenting at a tea ceremony, with the Samurai style being considered very suave by Atsuko, the tea master and owner of the Camellia Tea House. In keeping with Kyoto tradition, the tea house reflects the season outside, and being Boys’ Day, there was a Samurai in full armor, being there to give them strength to grow up as wise men. Watching Atsuko’s considered ways during the tea ceremony; it reminded me of the martial arts practiced in Japan. Calm, disciplined, and elegant, it was bewitching to experience. A sense of time and space prevailed, as if everything about this moment was distilled into the pearls of exquisite Uji matcha tea. The name of this tea house comes from Camellia sinensis, the Latin name for the tea plant. The Camellia Tea Ceremony is held at Ninenzaka, between Gion and Kiyomizu Temple, just a few steps below Sannenzaka.

Bonson Lam @bonson.lam

I knew my future was destined to be with Japan the moment I flew from Sydney to experience the atmospheric laneways of Kyoto last century. I am humbled to have met many distinguished people during this time, especially the national living treasures of Japan, such as the doll maker to the Imperia...