|
Reporter: I am in Hirao, located
in Fukuoka City’s Chuo ward. In this quiet neighborhood,
there's supposed to be a beautiful Japanese garden where
one can enjoy the essence of Japan. Here it is! It's called
Shofuen. Wow, impressive!
Reporter:
Shall we go inside? It certainly is beautiful...
Narration:
Shofuen opened in July 2007. The premises are filled with
various trees, such as camphor, ring-cupped oak, bayberry
and Japanese black pine, all putting on beautiful seasonal
displays that can be enjoyed throughout the year. But the
most noteworthy of all, is this 80 year-old Japanese maple
tree.
Reporter:
So, how did Shofuen come to exist?
Ms. Araki:
This was actually the private residence of Mr. Tanakamaru
Zenhachi, the founder of Tamaya department store in Nakasu,
Fukuoka. Now, Fukuoka City maintains it as a public property.
Narration:
This tea house named "Shofuan" was built in 1952
and shows Mr. Tanakamaru's extreme attention to detail.
Reporter:
Ms. Araki, this tea house is very interesting, isn't it?
Ms. Araki:
This is a four-and-a-half-mat room, consisting of four tatami
mats, with the addition of a square raised alcove called
masudoko. The term masudoko derives from its square shape,
which resembles a measuring box called masu. It is exactly
the same layout as Masudoko-no-seki at Daitoku-ji Jukoin,
the temple in Kyoto where the famous tea master Sen-no-Rikyu
is laid to rest.
Narration:
Other features you may notice are the woven ceiling, the
dropped ceiling, and shikishi-mado (poetry paper window),
which is a set of two square windows, placed one above the
other. The Japanese sense of beauty is condensed in this
small but peaceful room.
Reporter:
Ta-daaa...! Am I nattily dressed or what? The reason I'm
dressed like this is because I'm attending a tea ceremony.
And it's my very first time.
Narration:
Today's tea ceremony will be based on the Nambo-ryu School
of Tea, which originated in Fukuoka during the Edo and Genroku
periods. It was established by warriors of the Kuroda clan,
based on the tea ceremony book authored by Tachibana Jitsuzan,
a retainer of the Kuroda clan.
Reporter:
Thank you for the tea. The temperature is just right.
Mr.
Shiraishi: The tea ceremony is about
ladling the water, heating it, preparing the tea, serving
it to our ancestors and sharing it with our guests. It's
not about luxurious consumption.
Mr.
Hanaoka: Even if you are serving
tea in a chipped bowl, the most important thing is to serve
the tea from your heart.
Narration:
The Nambo-ryu School of Tea is used during the Yamakasa
Festival, at the tea ceremony and when dedicating tea at
Kushida shrine. Its tradition is still alive among the people
of Fukuoka.
Narration:
Now, let's take a look at the garden.
Reporter:
Ms. Araki, what exactly is this?
Ms. Araki:
This is a resting-place you often see in Japanese gardens.
It's an arbor called azumaya.
Reporter:
Azumaya?
Ms. Araki:
If you take a good look at it, you'll notice the benches
are designed like interlocking swastikas.
Reporter:
Why in the shape of swastikas?
Ms. Araki:
It is designed after manji-tei, a four-seat resting-place
at the famous Katsura Rikyuu (Katsura Imperial Villa).
Ms. Araki:
This lantern is called a natsume dourou. The pocket-like
space that holds the flame features carvings of tea ceremony
utensils. Here's a tea bowl, this is a tea container, and
this is a trivet.
Reporter:
Ahhh..., I see!
Ms. Araki:
This lantern is a good example of the playful spirit of
the tea masters.
Narration:
Shofuen has an elevator at the entrance to promote a barrier-free
environment. You can also rent the tea house by booking
in advance. Hopefully the garden will become a popular place
for people to come to and relax.
Reporter:
Wow..., it feels so good to be here. I think I was able
to grasp the spirit of wabi sabi a little bit. Looking at
the garden really eases my mind. I'm so glad to be Japanese...!
|
