Kobori-Enshu-ryu and Urasenke-ryu Collaborative Tea Ceremony at Kountei, October 5th, 2025

A collaborative tea ceremony jointly hosted by Ms. Yokoyama of the Kobori-Enshu-ryu and Ms. Utsunomiya of the Urasenke-ryu was held at Kountei in the Royal Park Hotel Suitengu. This marked the third collaborative tea ceremony between these two, transcending their respective schools.

The collaborative tea ceremony began when the two, who live just a five-minute walk from each other, decided to use each other's tea rooms for a tea ceremony-style event. Each participant take turns the roles of guest and host. Guest's team performs roles of the main guest and other guests, while host's team performs duties of tea procedure, Koken (guide), Kagedate, and Ohakobi(serving tea). There were six seats thick and thin tea teas served within one day, and roles changed by each room, it makes a truly educational experience. It is also fun to explore the differences between the schools, and able to learned a lot from the questions which are received from attendees of the other school.

The theme of the tea ceremony was "Snow, Moon, and Flowers." The Kobori-Enshu-ryu served thick tea, while the Urasenke-ryu served thin tea. The Kobori-Enshu-ryu's utensils were heavy with aged around the late Edo period, and the Urasenke-ryu's utensils were beautiful, commemorating the late Grand Master Houunsai. The tea was also delicious.

A joint luncheon was served at the hotel's Japanese restaurant, Genjiko. After a greeting and toast from the host, congratulatory remarks were given by the 17th Grand Master of the Kobori-Enshu-ryu, Ms.Soho Kobori, and Shorai-kai Vice Chairman Mr. Soichi Sasaki. The grand master's mother, Ms. Soyu Kobori, also attended, making for a truly splendid banquet, which also had a Noh dance.

After strolling through the beautiful Japanese garden and feeling deeply grateful for the host's thoughtful hospitality,headed to home.

(Note: The names of the tea ceremony roles are Kobori-Enshu-ryu names.)