This is one of the traditional Geisha Training Schools in Kyoto.
We had a few minutes for some quick photoswhile waiting for our group to reconvene.
Then into Gion Corner for our performances. Seven arts were featured and we have photos from a few. First was the tea ceremony,
then Japanese Harp...
Japanese Flower Arranging...
Ancient Comic Play - very funny story about a man leaving
his valuable saki with his two servants.
Kyoto Style Dance...
a Puppet Play.It was a very fun presentation of short samples of each art form.
Then off for a walk through Gion to our traditional Japanese meal.
Then off for a walk through Gion to our traditional Japanese meal.
Here we are...
Dinner was served shortly after we sat down...
Our Zen Tempura Dinner was composed of the following:
Tempura - Tofu, Yuba, Deep fried soybean paste, Fu, Mushrooms, Ginger, Sweet Potato, Lotus Root, Eggplant, Shiso leaf, Green pepper, pumpkin, kelp
Soup - Miso with tofu
Steamed rice with dried shiso
Green tea
It was delicious! Following dinner they gave a short talk and then they divided the group up and half went in for the tea ceremony and we went in for a short tour of the house and then to the waiting room for tea.
When the first group returned we walked out the door into awaiting shoes and walked over to the very small tea house. It was a little tricky with oversize slippers on damp rocks.
The entry was the small brown door under the brown line. They were traditionally low as all people were equals at a tea ceremony and all bowed to humble themselves upon entry.
The tea mistress (?) wiped all the cups with a new cloth.
Placed a small amount of powdered green tea leaves in the cup and then poured water into the cup. She then mixed it with a small bamboo wisk and then found the most beautiful view on the cup and turned it 1/4 turn two times and brought it to each person...thus the best view on the cup was facing you.
Dinner was served shortly after we sat down...
Our Zen Tempura Dinner was composed of the following:Tempura - Tofu, Yuba, Deep fried soybean paste, Fu, Mushrooms, Ginger, Sweet Potato, Lotus Root, Eggplant, Shiso leaf, Green pepper, pumpkin, kelp
Soup - Miso with tofu
Steamed rice with dried shiso
Green tea
It was delicious! Following dinner they gave a short talk and then they divided the group up and half went in for the tea ceremony and we went in for a short tour of the house and then to the waiting room for tea.
When the first group returned we walked out the door into awaiting shoes and walked over to the very small tea house. It was a little tricky with oversize slippers on damp rocks.
The entry was the small brown door under the brown line. They were traditionally low as all people were equals at a tea ceremony and all bowed to humble themselves upon entry.
The tea mistress (?) wiped all the cups with a new cloth.
Placed a small amount of powdered green tea leaves in the cup and then poured water into the cup. She then mixed it with a small bamboo wisk and then found the most beautiful view on the cup and turned it 1/4 turn two times and brought it to each person...thus the best view on the cup was facing you.
Very different tea...but quite good. We also had a
small sweet that was served with the tea.
small sweet that was served with the tea.
