Written by the Monocle Editorial Department
The Kyoto Japan Stroll App is now available. Get 50% off today only — search “Kyoto Stroll Japan” on the App Store. (Image provided by the Monocle Editorial Department)
The World of Tea Ceremony
Tea ceremony is both a way of hosting guests and a spiritual practice of tea drinking. In other words, the main purpose of tea ceremony is not simply to taste tea, but to embody the spirit of “ichi-go ichi-e” (one time, one meeting) through tea. Japanese tea ceremony is divided into three schools: Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushanokojisenke. These three schools all held official positions in noble households in ancient times and were dedicated to passing down tea culture. Though their forms differ, the basic principle is to remember the spirit of “wa-kei-sei-jaku” (harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility). Slow down, relax, clear your mind, and let go of distractions. Try to experience it with your “heart,” and the Zen essence within tea ceremony will naturally surface.
The World of Tea Ceremony. (Image provided by the Monocle Editorial Department)
Incense Ceremony Experience
The history of incense ceremony dates back to 595 AD, when agarwood and Buddhism were introduced to Japan together. By the Heian period, incense was widely used among the daily items of the nobility. The formal establishment of incense ceremony as an art form came in the late Muromachi period of the 16th century. At that time, the five tastes (sweet, bitter, spicy, sour, and salty) and six countries (the origins of the aromatic wood) of incense appreciation were established. Nobles, who were busy enjoying incense all day, also began inventing various incense games. Many old incense shops in Kyoto offer incense appreciation activities, and some even allow you to make your own incense sachets to take the fragrance home.
Play with Yuzen Dyeing
Originating in Kyoto, yuzen dyeing is one of the most representative dyeing techniques for Japanese kimonos. It was created over 300 years ago by a fan painter and is a painting-based dyeing method. Yuzen dyeing originally involved hand-drawn fine work, but by the Meiji era, a technique similar to printmaking emerged, using paper stencils to layer designs and apply colors, known as “itomenzashi yuzen.” The tools (brushes) and methods (using layered paper stencils to create designs, known as itomenzashi yuzen) used in yuzen dyeing today are still preserved. In Kyoto, you can experience easily drawing items full of Kyoto charm, such as fans, coasters, or T-shirts. It’s simple fun with great commemorative value.
Play with Yuzen Dyeing. (Image provided by the Monocle Editorial Department)
Wagashi Experience
Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets, originally mainly served as snacks between meals for Zen Buddhist monks. By the end of the 16th century, along with the rise of tea ceremony, mochi paired with matcha gradually became more refined. Among wagashi, those with less than 20% moisture are called higashi (dry sweets), while yokan typically contains over 30%, and those over 40% are called nama-gashi (fresh sweets). Ingredients generally include glutinous rice, red beans, sugar, and white kidney beans, but the shapes are incredibly diverse and breathtaking. With guidance from a wagashi artisan, you can easily make uniquely shaped wagashi by hand. Eating what you made yourself brings a special sense of accomplishment.
The Crimson Ancient Capital: A Stroll Through Kyoto 》》
