Discover the Enshu-ryu "Samurai" Tea Ceremony at the Machitobi Festa in Kagurazaka
As part of the "Kagurazaka Machitobi Festa," held from October 12 to November 3, 2024, the "Autumn Awa Odori" was performed on October 20, along with a "Tea Ceremony Experience." The tea ceremony was held at the Bishamonten Temple, within its beautiful study room.
The tea ceremony experience was conducted in the style of the Enshu-ryu school, known for its philosophy called Kirei-sabi (graceful simplicity). The reason why this event was held in Kagurazaka is that the Enshu-ryu head school is located here.
Enshu-ryu Tea Ceremony: A Legacy of 440 Years of Samurai Elegance
Enshu-ryu is a samurai tea ceremony school that traces its origins to its founder, Kobori Enshu and has a long history of over 440 years. Compared to the Sen family schools like Omote-Senke, Ura-Senke, and Mushakoji-Senke, which originated from Sen no Rikyu’s grandson, Sen Sotan, Enshu-ryu is known for its high samurai-style formalities and elegance.
When Sen no Rikyu's tea ceremony, perfected by his grandson Sen Sotan, emphasized simplicity (wabi), Enshu’s tea ceremony was developed as a contrasting artistic tea. It combines the traditional aesthetics of wabi-sabi with Enshu's unique sense of beauty, resulting in Kirei-sabi. This style is said to embody a delicate blend of elegance and subtle melancholy.
The essence of the Enshu-ryu tea ceremony is Kirei-sabi. It enhances the traditional spirit of wabi-sabi with beauty, brightness, and richness, aiming for an objective beauty that anyone can appreciate. The philosophy emphasizes the concept of "entering and exiting through formality," which means mastering the fundamentals while also applying creativity and refinement. This is the spirit of the Enshu-ryu school.
Kobori Enshu: The Multifaceted Artist Behind Japan's Iconic Gardens and Tea Rooms
Kobori Enshu studied tea under his master, Furuta Oribe, from a young age. Furuta Oribe was a tea master for both Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the unifier of Japan, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate. As Rikyu's successor, Oribe was instrumental in developing the tea ceremony.
Kobori Enshu was not only skilled in tea ceremony but also in garden design, following his master’s teachings. He created many famous gardens and buildings, including the national treasure Mittan-tei at Daitokuji Temple and the "Hassoseki" tea room at Konchi-in, one of Kyoto’s most famous tea houses.
Among Kobori Enshu’s disciples were samurai, daimyo (feudal lords), Zen monks, and artists, including Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate who commissioned the construction of Kagurazaka Street. Kobori Enshu is known as one of Japan’s greatest multidisciplinary artists and is often referred to as "Japan’s Leonardo da Vinci."
From Shogun’s Street to Tea Tradition: Unique Experiences in Kagurazaka
At our company, we offer wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) classes at "Baika-tei," a famous confectionery shop in Kagurazaka. In these classes, you will learn to make wagashi and then enjoy it with matcha tea.
Additionally, we offer tea ceremony classes at "Cha-wa Masudaya" in Okubo, Tokyo. Both instructors, Mr. Go Inoue from "Baikatei" and Ms. Emiko Masuda from "Cha-wa Masudaya," are certified Urasenke tea masters. Although they do not specialize in Enshu-ryu, they can explain the differences between the various schools, such as Enshu-ryu and Urasenke, in detail.
Visiting the Enshu-ryu head school in Kagurazaka to experience samurai tea culture and then learning about town tea culture at Urasenke is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the depth of tea culture. It reflects Kagurazaka’s duality, which combines the samurai and commoner cultures. The tea experience in Kagurazaka is truly one-of-a-kind, just like the history of Kagurazaka Street itself, which began as Shogun Street and has since become one of Japan’s largest and most vibrant shopping streets.
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How to Access Kagurazaka
The Kagurazaka area is conveniently located within 30 minutes from any major station in Tokyo. This is because Kagurazaka is situated in the heart of Tokyo, at the center of the Yamanote Line. Please come and visit this convenient and charming Kagurazaka.
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