34th Ryuuei Tea Ceremony at Gokokuji Temple on March 16th, 2024

Ryuuei Tea Ceremony held by the Ryuueikai for the first time in four years after the coronavirus pandemic. Ryuueikai was established in 1980 as an association for the descendants of the feudal lords, hatamoto, gokenin, and other vassals of the Tokugawa shogunate. At the tea ceremony, four samurai tea ceremony schools were presented: the Oie Ryu by Ando family who are former lords of the Iwaki-taira domain, the Kobori Enshu-ryu, the Sekishu-Isa Tea Ceremony, and the Chinshin-ryu.

Passing through the Niomon gate of Gokokuji Temple, cherry blossoms added color to the stone steps. Spring breeze brought petals in the air.

The Kobori Enshu-ryu held a thick tea ceremony in the Botan-no-ma. Looking at courtyard from Yoritsuki (waiting room), had no flowers as if it is still waiting for spring. When entered into the tea room, Cymbidium goeringii, one of spring flower, welcomed guest at alcove warmly. It was a wonderful ceremony feeling have a tea in the spring light.