Camellia Tea Ceremony
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camelliakyoto.bsky.social
Camellia Tea Ceremony
@camelliakyoto.bsky.social
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Welcoming guests to our two teahouses and kimono studio in Kyōto. Join us as we explore Japanese culture, tea and history!

Website: https://tea-kyoto.com/

You can also find us over on...
insta: http://camellia.kyoto &
@[email protected]
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🍂NENBUTSU FALL🍁

Even the stoniest of hearts cannot help but enjoy autumn in Arashiyama.

#otaginenbutsuji #愛宕念仏寺 #arashiyama #嵐山 #Kyoto #京都 #羅漢 #rakan #nenbutsuji #mtatago #愛宕山 #autumn #紅葉
The stone rakan of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji in the fall. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji's Kannon-do in autumn. The stone rakan of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji in the fall. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji's Kannon-do in autumn.
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 AM
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🙇‍♂️LABOR THANKSGIVING🙇

Happy 'Labor Thanksgiving Day' (勤労感謝の日 'Kinrō Kansha-no-hi')!

The national holiday was established in 1948 to celebrate the fundamental human rights and workers rights embedded in the new constitution.

#勤労感謝の日 #京都 #laborthanksgivingday
Atsuko-san takes a moment to enjoy the garden's autumn colours. The colours in the grounds at Garden Teahouse are really beginning to pop. The perfect sweets (red and yellow kinton from Oimatsu) for enjoying the autumn colours in the tea room. Atsuko-san prepares for a tea ceremony performance (the tea room shoji have been removed to help bring the autumn colours into the space).
November 24, 2025 at 2:38 AM
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🍂👀LEAF HUNTING🙌🍁

In Japan 'autumn foliage', depending on the reading, is known as 'momiji' (紅葉) or 'kōyō' (紅葉).
Originally the terms referred to any tree that changed colour for autumn, but over time they became synonymous with the maple (楓 'kaede')🍁

#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #紅葉 #楓 #momiji
November 21, 2025 at 5:40 AM
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👣🤔AUTUMN ALONG THE PHILOSOPHER'S PATH🍁🍂

Fall vibing.

#永観堂 #Eikando #autumn #紅葉 #Kyoto #京都 #Japan #ThePhilosophersPath #哲学の道 #Tetsugakunomichi
Autumn at Eikan-do. The pond at Eikan-do (with pagoda on the mountain behind). The rustic gate of Anraku-ji in autumn. Warabe Jizo statues at Eikan-do.
November 20, 2025 at 3:12 AM
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🌬️HUT OF THE FALLEN PERSIMMONS😮

A straw raincoat hangs beside the door at Rakushisha (落柿舎), indicating that the host is home.

The small cottage was home to Mukai Kyorai (向井去来), chief disciple of Matsuo Bashō. It was here Bashō composed 'Saga Nikki' (嵯峨日記) in 1691.
#Rakushisha #落柿舎 #Arashiyama
Persimmons hang heavy on the branches at Rakushisha (the 'Cottage of Fallen Persimmons'). A straw raincoat and hat hung by the door at Rakushisha indicates that the host is home. Rakushisha, the 'Cottage of Fallen Persimmons'. Rakushisha, the 'Cottage of Fallen Persimmons'.
November 18, 2025 at 1:31 AM
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🦕🦖GINKGO🌿🍂

“The ginkgo tree is from the era of dinosaurs, but while the dinosaur has been extinguished, the modern ginkgo has not changed.
After the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, the ginkgo was the first tree that came up. It’s amazing.”

-Nakanishi Kōji (中西香爾 1925-2019).
#ginkgo #イチョウ #銀杏
Nao-san admires the great ginkgo at Nishi Hongan-ji. Ginkgo fruit (when fallen and squashed they can cause quite the stink!). Ginkgo slowly shedding their leaves. Sunlight illuminates the golden leaves of a great ginkgo tree.
November 17, 2025 at 2:47 AM
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🍊IMMORTAL ORANGES & OTHER DELIGHTS🧺

Keiko-san arrived bearing gifts today🥰
Oimatsu's (老松) adorable 'Yamato-tachibana' (大和橘) are made from whole tachibana, hollowed out, prepared in syrup and filled with mochi.
Even before unwrapping we could smell the citrusy goodness!

#wagashi #和菓子
Oimatsu's 'Yamato-tachibana' are made from whole tachibana, hollowed out, prepared in syrup and filled with mochi. Oimatsu's 'Yamato-tachibana' are made from whole tachibana, hollowed out, prepared in syrup and filled with mochi. Vivid orange fruit shine in the late winter sun. Oimatsu's 'Yamato-tachibana'.
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
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A morning of quiet reflection.

#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #紅葉 #momiji #autumn #Arashiyama #嵐山 #Yūsaitei #祐斎亭 #Ōigawa #大堰川 #zen
November 13, 2025 at 2:25 AM
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🍶😵‍💫THE TEMPLE OF ABSTINENCE🙏✨

Jizō-in (地蔵院) hasn't survived the ravages of time well, but it has some extraordinary tales to tell.
Many know the tiny temple as 'Tsubaki-dera' (椿寺) after a camellia shrub that was smuggled from a Korean castle and later gifted by a warlord.

#Jizoin #地蔵院 #Kyoto #京都
Jizo-in's spectacular camellia bush, absolutely bursting with flowers. Delicate pink camellia flower. Jizo-in's 'Jizo Hall', enshrining the statue that gives the temple it's name. A carpet of fallen pink camellia flowers.
November 10, 2025 at 4:35 AM
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🐉👣THE DRAGON'S BODY🐟🔔

Manpuku-ji (萬福寺) in Uji, home to the Ōbaku Zen sect (黄檗宗), was founded in 1661 by the Chinese monk Yinyuan Longqi (隱元隆琦 aka Ingen Ryūki 1592-1673).

It is considered to be Japan's greatest Chinese-style temple.
#Kyoto #京都 #Manpukuji #萬福寺
Manpuku-ji's striking statue of Rahula, 1 of the 16 Arhats. Manpuku-ji's Daiyu Hoden. The fence about the Dharma Hall features a broken down swastika pattern. Manpuku-ji's 'kaipan', a fish-shaped board struck to alert monks to mealtimes, lectures and daily tasks.
November 7, 2025 at 2:14 AM
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🔥👏WARMING THE COCKLES🍡🥰

Warming heart, hands and belly with Kazariya's (かざりや) delicious aburi-mochi (あぶり餅).

On the west approach to Imamiya-jinja (今宮神社) you will find 2 teahouses (茶屋 'chaya'), both serving these single-bite rice cakes🙌
#Kyoto #京都 #あぶり餅
November 5, 2025 at 4:51 AM
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🍁FOR THE SALVATION OF WOMEN✨

Until recently women were forbidden from setting foot on holy Mt Hiei, confined to pray from afar. A statue decided to take matters into its own hands so that the women of Kyōto had somewhere to worship.
Each November 15th this statue is celebrated.
#Hieizan #比叡山 #Kyoto
Mt Hiei as seen from Entsu-ji (the mountain is used as part of the temple's 'borrowed scenery'). Shinshogokuraku-ji's pagoda, framed by red maple leaves. Konpon-chudo (根本中堂), Enryaku-ji's main hall. Cherry blossoms at sunset (with Shinshogokuraku-ji's pagoda silhouetted in the background).
November 4, 2025 at 3:39 AM
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🖌️CULTURE DAY🎎
November 3rd, 'Bunka-no-hi' (文化の日), is a national holiday in Japan. It's a day for promoting culture, the arts, and academic pursuits.

'Culture Day' was created in 1948 to commemorate the announcement of the post-war Japanese constitution.

#文化の日 #Japan
Atsuko-san and Nao-san bow to one another during a tea ceremony. Boys dress in traditional armor for the 'Yoroi Kizome-shiki' (鎧着初式 'First Wearing of Armour Ceremony') at Kamigamo-jinja in November. Nao-san enjoys a quiet moment of reflection at Ryoan-ji's dry landscape garden. Atsuko-san dresses for her wedding day in traditional kimono and headdress.
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 AM
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🐁🐶🐄🐰🐒🐍THE ZODIAC PILGRIMAGE🐅🐉🐗🐎🐓🐐

In the Chinese Zodiac 2026 will be the 'Year of the Fire Horse' (written as '馬', '马' or '午'), aka the 'Red Horse Year' (赤馬年).

Kyōto has a special pilgrimage made up of 12 religious sites dedicated to the 12 animals found in the zodiac.

#Kyoto #京都 #zodiac
Participant in the Aoi Matsuri on horseback. A wall of votive tablets depicting white horses (the tradition of 'ema' votive tablets began from the gifting of horses to shrines as a prayer for rain or fine weather). Nao-san feeds the 'sacred horse' at Kamigamo-jinja. Our beautiful mizusashi (water holder) used for the Hatsuuma celebrations in February(ish).
October 30, 2025 at 4:05 AM
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We don't typically acknowledge Halloween within the traditional space of the tea room, but in a nod to the festivities Atsuko-san decided to dress up as a pumpkin (her words, not mine)🎃

It's a little early, and the leaves are far from autumn gorgeous, but Happy Halloween!👹

#Halloween #ハロウィン
Atsuko-san dressed in an orange kimono and black obi, a nod to the Jack-o'-lanterns found at this time of year. Atsuko-san dressed in an orange kimono and black obi, a nod to the Jack-o'-lanterns found at this time of year. Atsuko-san dressed in an orange kimono and black obi, a nod to the Jack-o'-lanterns found at this time of year. Atsuko-san dressed in an orange kimono and black obi, a nod to the Jack-o'-lanterns found at this time of year.
October 29, 2025 at 5:32 AM
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😇👋A MONTH OF NO GODS🧳⛩️

There is a quaint belief that in the 10th month the gods of Japan congregate for a great gathering to discuss matchmaking at Izumo-taisha (出雲大社) in Shimane Prefecture.

Only hard-of-hearing Ebisu and the Sun Goddess miss this annual pilgrimage.
#Japan
A deer poses at Mizuya-chaya (水谷茶屋) in Nara. An unusual sweet that celebrates the autumn festival at Ebisu-jinja. A pancake is folded and branded to look like the head of the god Ebisu. A wonderful collection of dried sweets that mimic things found on the forest floor (fallen leaves, mushrooms, pine needles). A gorgeous little persimmon bonsai.
October 28, 2025 at 1:09 AM
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🕯️📿THE IMPERMANENCE OF ALL THINGS🙏🕯️

For one week from mid-October each year Tōrin-in (東林院), a sub-temple of Myōshin-ji, illuminates its main garden with 800 candles.
The "Bontō no akari ni shitashimu-kai" (梵燈のあかりに親しむ会) is intended as an elegant form of prayer.

#Myoshinji #Torinin #妙心寺 #東林院
Each October Torin-in arranges over 800 candles within its gardens. Some are used to form characters that make up a zen phrase. Each October Torin-in arranges over 800 candles within its gardens. Some are used to form characters that make up a zen phrase. Each October Torin-in arranges over 800 candles within its gardens. Some are used to form characters that make up a zen phrase. Each October Torin-in arranges over 800 candles within its gardens. Some are used to form characters that make up a zen phrase.
October 27, 2025 at 1:58 AM
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👣FESTIVAL OF AGES⛩️

October 22nd is a busy day for festivals in Kyōto. Up in the mountains Kurama village readies to light 250 giant pine torches, while down in the city a parade featuring figures from 1000 years of Kyōto's history gets underway.

#Kyoto #京都 #時代祭 #JidaiMatsuri
The Jidai Matsuri features costumes and historical figures from Kyoto's thousand year history in sprawling parade that winds through the city. The Jidai Matsuri features costumes and historical figures from Kyoto's thousand year history in sprawling parade that winds through the city. The Jidai Matsuri features costumes and historical figures from Kyoto's thousand year history in sprawling parade that winds through the city. The Jidai Matsuri features costumes and historical figures from Kyoto's thousand year history in sprawling parade that winds through the city.
October 23, 2025 at 12:50 AM
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🔥FIRE FESTIVAL🔥

Yuki-jinja's (由岐神社) 'Hi Matsuri' (鞍馬の火祭 'Fire Festival') on October 22nd is said to have origins in the bonfires lit to guide the shrine's gods as they journeyed from the imperial palace to the mountain village of Kurama (鞍馬).

#鞍馬の火祭 #Kyoto #京都
Yuki-jinja's 'Fire Festival' on October 22nd. Entrance to Yuki-jinja, home of the Kurama Fire Festival. Soaring sacred tree within Yuki-jinja. Gate to Kurama-dera. Yuki-jinja is located beside the mountain road that climbs up to this temple.
October 22, 2025 at 2:37 AM
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😈TEAHOUSE TERROR🎃

Nao-san thought it would be fun to shoot a short video in the tearoom for Halloween.

I didn't realise it would turn into a full horror movie...
...as dusk crept on, Nao-san relished her acting role a little too much😫😱

#Halloween #ハロウィン #Japan #茶道
October 21, 2025 at 1:44 AM
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🪵THE THATCHED VILLAGE🛖

vegetables hung to dry
at two houses...
thatch dripping rain
二軒前干菜かけたり草の雨
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1803.
Trans. David Lanoue.

About an hour's drive north west of Kyōto, Miyama's (美山) 'Kayabuki-no-sato' (かやぶきの里) is a small village of traditional farmhouses.

#Miyama #美山
Mossy thatched farmhouse in Miyama. Autumn arrives in Miyama and slowly the leaves begin their great colour change. 'Kayabuki-no-sato', a small village of traditional thatched farmhouses. Stocking logs for the winter season ahead in Miyama.
October 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
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🍃🍂AUTUMN AT THE VILLA😌🍵

The leaves are rather late to begin their reddening this year, but the onset of colder weather hints that their transformation is imminent.
This season of crisp mornings and clear skies is one of the finest to enjoy the city's gardens.
#Japan #Kyoto
Nao-san poses in front of the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa. A leopard plant ('Tsuwabuki' ツワブキ) growing in the villa garden. It is native to streams and seashores. Inner courtyard garden within the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa. Cicada shells, a reminder of the summer just past.
October 17, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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🌳📏BONSAI BONANZA✂️🤏

Kyōto hosts 2 major exhibitions of bonsai each year at the Miyako Messe: the 'Nihon Bonsai Taikanten' (日本盆栽大観展) in autumn, and the 'Gafūten Shōhin' (小品盆栽 雅風展) in January, which focuses on bonsai so small they can be held in the palm of your hand.

#bonsai #盆栽 #Kyoto #autumn
Bonsai featured in the autumn 'Nihon Bonsai Taikanten' exhibition. Bonsai featured in the autumn 'Nihon Bonsai Taikanten' exhibition. Bonsai featured in the autumn 'Nihon Bonsai Taikanten' exhibition. Bonsai featured in the autumn 'Nihon Bonsai Taikanten' exhibition.
October 15, 2025 at 4:33 AM
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🏊‍♂️🧢🏉SPORTS DAY🥏🥎🧗‍♂️

Happy 'Health and Sports Day' (体育の日 'Taiiku-no-hi')!🥳
As you might expect, we'll be celebrating with lashings of tea and sweets, and as the holiday commemorates the 1964 Tōkyō Olympics there's a subtle Olympic theme to today's offerings🏅

#体育の日 #healthandsportsday #olympics
A Japanese flag inspired sweet (the flag sits on a red bean paste with a thin layer of jelly covering the round confection). One of my favourite tea bowls. Purchased for the Tokyo Olympics it depicts mice holding the Olympic rings. The pandemic delayed the Olympics, so in the end it didn't take place in the Year of the Rat. Colourful macarons hinting at the Olympic rings. A sumptuous lunch box filled with colourful seafood and vegetables.
October 13, 2025 at 4:56 AM
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💜FIELDS OF FUJIBAKAMA🌿

Each year a parcel of meadow in Ōharano (大原野), to the south west of the city, is transformed into an oasis of thoroughwort. 'Fujibakama-en' (フジバカマ園) is one of the best places in Kyōto to catch sight of this endangered flower 'in the wild'.

#Kyoto #Oharano #fujibakama
Nao-san enjoys a field of fujibakama south of the city. Fujibakama-en is a popular autumn destination in Oharano. In recent years the flower has increasingly become endangered in the wild. Fujibakama-en is a popular autumn destination in Oharano. In recent years the flower has increasingly become endangered in the wild. Fujibakama is a favourite flower for many butterfly species.
October 10, 2025 at 3:02 AM