On Saturday, May 27th, we held an early summer tea gathering in the grand-style format at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. The idea for this event began with a casual conversation with my colleague and friend, Mr. Masaharu Inoue of Hokoen. While the vision had long taken shape in my mind, there are limits to what one can accomplish alone. With a kindred spirit by my side, the concept quickly gained momentum and began to take form with remarkable speed. Through repeated dialogue and reflection, the venue that came to mind above all others was Dazaifu Tenmangu – a place where the history and culture of the Western Capital still live and breathe. Within its grounds stands the Bunshokan, a historic building constructed in 1901 as a temporary resting place for the Emperor. It is not ordinarily open to the public. Thanks to the gracious generosity of Dazaifu Tenmangu, we were granted the rare privilege of using the Bunshokan as our venue. Surrounded by the quiet dignity and historical gravitas of this space, we were able to spend a serene early summer day immersed in the spirit of chanoyu. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to all who made this occasion possible.
For this year’s “Early Summer Tea Gathering”, we were fortunate to receive wholehearted support from Mr. Suguru Tokubuchi, who has been involved from the very inception of the event. Mr. Tokubuchi is the proprietor of yorozu, a refined and tranquil tea salon nestled in Akasaka, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka. Widely known among connoisseurs and even featured in Fujingaho, yorozu has become a beloved destination for those seeking respite from the everyday. Its doors welcome a steady stream of guests drawn to its quiet elegance and restorative atmosphere. For this tea gathering, the spirit of yorozu was beautifully transposed into the grand hall, with a setting that evoked the cool serenity of early summer. A single, exquisite serving of gyokuro was presented using ko-sometsuke and old baccarat glass – an offering of utmost care and artistry. Further enriching the experience was a thoughtful detail: tea coasters crafted from hiwada-buki (cypress bark roofing) salvaged during the restoration of Shiga Shrine, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. This gesture subtly echoed the upcoming grand renovation of the main shrine building in 2027, weaving together seasonal sensibility and cultural continuity. The crisp clarity of the kōsen (fragrant tea) offering gently handed the baton to the koicha (thick tea) that followed, forming a quiet yet powerful flow of tradition and hospitality throughout the day.
The koicha (thick tea) service was conducted by Chief Priest Akiyoshi Yamanishi of Komyoji Temple. Our connection dates back to my father’s generation, and we have shared nearly twenty years of friendship. At times like a father, at times like an elder brother, he has always offered quiet support throughout both my personal and professional journey. For this occasion, there was no one I could imagine entrusting with the koicha seat other than Mr. Yamanishi. Despite the demanding nature of the request, he accepted it with grace and generosity, making repeated journeys from Kobe to Dazaifu. From the waiting room to the main seat, down to the finest details of the shitsurai (room arrangement), he devoted himself wholeheartedly until the very last moment. “I wish to honor each guest’s precious time and treat every encounter as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.” This sentiment reflects not only his essence as a tea practitioner, but also his way of being as a person. Surrounded by trusted tea companions and fellow collectors, the koicha seat unfolded in an atmosphere of quietude and warmth – a space where reverence and intimacy gently coexisted.
Beginning with a greeting, the pine shaped bowl, Ms. Fujimaru’s confectionery（plum）, and the bamboo that accompanies it make for a luxurious pine, bamboo, and plum. During the limited time, he slowly told us the story of Michizane Sugawara, which has been handed down in Kobe. Customers who were nervous at first are relaxed with Mr. Yamanishi’s unique sense of humor, and are always surrounded by smiles while seated. Mr. Yamanishi’s seat is really interesting, and you can understand why he is in demand in various places. Mr. Yu, the eldest son, does the tea ceremony. Thank you very much for your hard work from the preparation. The koicha (thick tea) service began with a gracious greeting, followed by a presentation of sweets in a pine-themed vessel, featuring Ms. Fujimaru’s candied green plum as the main confection. Accompanied by bamboo, the arrangement evoked the auspicious motif of pine, bamboo, and plum—welcoming guests with seasonal richness and refined symbolism. Within the limited time allotted, Chief Priest Akiyoshi Yamanishi gently and thoughtfully unfolded the story of Sugawara no Michizane, as it has been passed down in Kobe. Though some guests arrived with a touch of nervousness, Mr. Yamanishi’s signature warmth and subtle humor soon put everyone at ease, and the room was enveloped in smiles throughout the gathering. His tea seat, at once intellectual and deeply approachable, embodied what might be called “cultural playfulness” – a spirit that brings tradition to life with grace and wit. It is no wonder his presence is in high demand across regions; once seated at his gathering, one immediately understands why. The temae (tea preparation) was performed by his eldest son, Yu Yamanishi, who supported the long day’s preparations and proceedings with quiet sincerity and composure. The harmony between father and son was palpable, and the koicha seat they created together was a true embodiment of ichigo ichie – a once-in-a-lifetime moment of beauty.
From the Kanbai-shitsu (Plum Viewing Room), where the koicha seat was held, one can gaze upon the Kyokusui no Niwa—the Garden of Meandering Streams. Each March, this garden becomes the stage for the Kyokusui no En, a ceremonial reenactment of a Heian-period courtly tradition. Amidst a profusion of plum blossoms, guests dressed in jūnihitoe and ikan sokutai – formal attire of the imperial court – compose poems on tanzaku slips as cups of sake float downstream. The rule is simple: the poem must be completed before the cup passes by, after which the sake is drunk in full. This elegant rite is said to have originated in 958, when Yoshifuru Ono, then Dazai Daini (Deputy Governor of Dazaifu), first held the ceremony. It evokes the poetic spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, a master of verse, and conjures vivid images of the refined gatherings of his time. The gentle flow of water through the Kyokusui garden carries with it the memory of centuries past, adding a quiet resonance to the tea gathering – a moment where history, nature, and hospitality converge.
The final chapter of our tea gathering was beautifully brought to life by Ms. Kunie Shirafuji, proprietress of Masa, a long – established ryotei in Hakata. This treasured connection came through Mr. Masaharu Inoue of Hokoen, and earlier this year, I had the privilege of attending a tea gathering hosted by Ms. Shirafuji. There, I was deeply moved by her refined interpretation of the world of hina dolls – an aesthetic that was both delicate and powerfully evocative. For this occasion, she crafted a chabako (tea box) arrangement within the okimizuya, infusing the space with her distinctive sensibility. While each seat – kōsen, koicha, and usucha – carried its own unique character, it was Ms. Shirafuji’s usucha seat that quietly and elegantly brought the entire gathering to a harmonious close. Rooted in the aesthetics of the Western Capital, the event unfolded as a seamless flow – where individual points of beauty were gently connected into a single, resonant line. It was, in every sense, a splendid collaboration: a moment where culture and season intertwined to create a richly textured experience.
We are deeply grateful to all the guests who took time out of their busy schedules to join us on this special day, and to the behind-the-scenes team who worked tirelessly – from preparation to cleanup – devoting themselves with quiet dedication and care. Above all, this gathering would not have been possible without the generous support of Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, who graciously provided us with a venue beyond compare. Together with Mr. Masaharu Inoue of Hokoen, we spent a year nurturing the vision for this Early Summer Tea Gathering, and we are truly thankful to have brought it to fruition. It is our sincere hope that this occasion may gently expand the circle of those who find joy in art and chanoyu, and that the guests who joined us will carry with them a warm and lasting impression of the day. To everyone who made this possible – thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.
