Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony 2022 (in English)

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony A time for everyone to enjoy the culture of tea. The tea ceremony was open for all to freely participate in. From those familiar with it to newcomers. It is a popular autumn tradition in Tokyo. This event started in 2008. It is organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Arts Council Tokyo of the Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture. It was held for the 13th time after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held in two places, Hamarikyu Gardens and Edo Tokyo Open-Air Architectural Museum. In addition to authentic tea ceremony in elegant buildings and open-air tea ceremony, it was also possible to enjoy a flower arrangement experience and traditional performing arts. Hamarikyu Gardens, where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons. This is a feudal lord's daimyo garden that has been passed down since the Edo era. Eight tea ceremony programs were held in this magnificent garden. In the refreshing autumn weather, several outdoor tea ceremonies called nodate were held. The participants enjoyed a ryurei ceremony of serving tea seated at tables. The outdoor tea ceremony was also performed in the traditional manner of kneeling to make tea. High school tea ceremony clubs in Tokyo also performed, passing on traditional culture. The fukusa we are using today is a traditional dye from Tokyo, the edogomo fukusa. Thanks to the chance to meet all of you, I am very grateful for this opportunity. Participants were able to taste the tea while listening to English explanations on the etiquette and manners of the tea ceremony. The tea bowl that she has in her hand is called rakujama. It's the style of raku, which is the most popular style of tea bowls in Japan. The live performance included ancient Japanese music, gagaku. Then, Japanese traditional performing arts such as nihonboyo were also performed. There was also a flower arrangement experience with instructors. Authentic tea ceremonies were held at two locations at the venue. Guests were able to rest their minds in a solemn atmosphere. The Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum restores and exhibits historical buildings of high cultural value from the Edo era to the middle of the Showa era. Seven tea ceremony programs were held in the historical atmosphere. This is the house of Korekiyo Takahashi, who played a leading role in politics from the Meiji era to the beginning of the Showa era. It was built by Izaemon Nishikawa, a businessman who established one of the leading silk-reeling companies in the North Tama region for his retirement and to serve guests. The guests were touched by the hospitality. This is the building of a Japanese umbrella wholesaler built in Koewa, Edogawa Ward, where umbrella making was popular. All ages were welcome. At Unoki Village in the Edo era, which is now Ota Ward, this was an old family house that served a prominent role. The guests enjoyed drinking tea in a relaxing environment. This was an inn located along the Ōme Highway in Nishiwake Town, Ōme City. The seasonal tea utensils evoke the feeling of autumn. This is a private house with a thatched roof built in the mid-Edo era. The English commentary gave visitors a taste of Japanese culture. In the traditional culture experience program, a hands-on demonstration of making flower decorations with cloth was held. In front of the majestic gate, under a clear autumn sky, visitors enjoyed a harmonious tea ceremony. Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony, together with the charm of the tea ceremony, epitomizes traditional Japanese culture.