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Opening the door to the YOMEI BUNKO
- time cupsule of a millenium -
Traditional art experience in one day.
Kodo - Way of Inscence, Tea Ceremony,
Kyomai - Kyoto-style Dance, Saké Experience & Museum tour.
Fri 13th, Sat 14th & Sun 15th October
Access
Yomei Bunko
1-2 Utano Kaminotani-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto Japan #616-8252
Itinerary
13:00-13:30 Reception
13:30-14:00 Introduction
14:00-15:00 Museum tour at Yomei Bunko
15:00-15:45 Kodo - Way of Incense
15:45-16:30 Tea Ceremony
16:30-17:30 Apéro - Saké tasting
Kyomai - Kyoto style dance
* Program is the same on all 3 days
Content
Yōmei Bunko & Kozan-so
Yōmei Bunko is a historical archive collected over the centuries by the Konoe family, the foremost of the five regent houses of the imperial court nobility.
The collection includes one UNESCO Memory of the World, 8 National Treasures, and 60 Important Cultural Properties, as well as approximately 100,000 items including old records, diaries, letters, and antiquities handed down by the Konoe and Fujiwara families.
Yōmei Bunko Foundation was established in 1938 by Fumimaro Konoe (1891-1945), then head of the family and prime minister of Japan. Materials preserved in the archive illustrate over 1,000 years of Japan's history, ranging from the "Midō Kanpaku-ki", the diary in his own hand of Fujiwara no Michinaga (966 - 1028), one of the ancestors of the Konoe family, to 20th century materials relating to Fumimaro Konoe himself.
＜Kozan-so＞
Kozan-so is a the sukiya style building adjacent to the Yōmei Bunko for the purpose of viewing the collection. It was designed by Eikichi Hasebe.
The collection includes one UNESCO Memory of the World, 8 National Treasures, and 60 Important Cultural Properties, as well as approximately 100,000 items including old records, diaries, letters, and antiquities handed down by the Konoe and Fujiwara families.
Yōmei Bunko Foundation was established in 1938 by Fumimaro Konoe (1891-1945), then head of the family and prime minister of Japan. Materials preserved in the archive illustrate over 1,000 years of Japan's history, ranging from the "Midō Kanpaku-ki", the diary in his own hand of Fujiwara no Michinaga (966 - 1028), one of the ancestors of the Konoe family, to 20th century materials relating to Fumimaro Konoe himself.
＜Kozan-so＞
Kozan-so is a the sukiya style building adjacent to the Yōmei Bunko for the purpose of viewing the collection. It was designed by Eikichi Hasebe.
Formal aristocratic attire by Kuroda Shozoku
Kodo, the Way of Incense : Shino-ryu Kodo
Souhitsu Hachiya, the 21st Generations Designate of the Shino School of Kōdō, will offer a hands-on experience of Kōdō, including Genji kumiko (Genji incense) a game involving on The Tale of Genji. The Tale of Genji is the world's oldest novel by a female author and is part of the collection of the Yomei Bunko.
Kōdō ("Way of Fragrance") is the art of appreciating Japanese incense, and involves using incense within a structure of codified conduct. It includes all aspects of the incense process, from the tools, to activities such as the incense-comparing games.
Shino School of Kōdō is among the very few families that continues to pass on the tradition of Kōdō to the present day.
The foundation of the Shino school was laid in Higashiyama, Kyoto by Shino Soshin (1443-1523), who was close to Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th Shogun who was at power. The lineage has been passed down over 500 years. During the Edo period (1603-1867), under the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Shino school matured into a highly elegant art form that was treasured by samurai families, the ladies' chambers of Edo Castle, court nobles, Buddhist priests, and the general populace.
Kōdō ("Way of Fragrance") is the art of appreciating Japanese incense, and involves using incense within a structure of codified conduct. It includes all aspects of the incense process, from the tools, to activities such as the incense-comparing games.
Shino School of Kōdō is among the very few families that continues to pass on the tradition of Kōdō to the present day.
The foundation of the Shino school was laid in Higashiyama, Kyoto by Shino Soshin (1443-1523), who was close to Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th Shogun who was at power. The lineage has been passed down over 500 years. During the Edo period (1603-1867), under the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Shino school matured into a highly elegant art form that was treasured by samurai families, the ladies' chambers of Edo Castle, court nobles, Buddhist priests, and the general populace.
Tea Ceremony by Ura-Senke school
The tea ceremony will be performed by members of Urasenke tradition of the Way of Tea.
Urasenke is one of the main schools of the tea ceremony. Along with Omotesenke and Mushanokōjisenke, it is one of the three lines of the Sen family descending from Sen Rikyū, (1522 - 1591) who had the most profound influence on the tradition.
The tea ceremony (known as chadō “The Way of Tea” or chanoyu) is a cultural activity involving the preparation and presentation of matcha “powdered green tea”. During a tea gathering, sweets are served while the host prepares matcha. The gathering also involves conversation between the host and guests regarding the bowls and utensils used to prepare tea and the art displayed in the tearoom, which are often chosen according to the season and purpose of the gathering or in relation to one of the guests.
The Konoe family played an important role in chanoyu, and Konoe Iehiro (1667-1736) held over 300 tea gatherings. Iehiro’s collection of teascoops is one the most popular items in the Yōmei Bunko collection, which includes the teascoops hand carved by the former emperor and Sen Rikyū himself.
Urasenke is one of the main schools of the tea ceremony. Along with Omotesenke and Mushanokōjisenke, it is one of the three lines of the Sen family descending from Sen Rikyū, (1522 - 1591) who had the most profound influence on the tradition.
The tea ceremony (known as chadō “The Way of Tea” or chanoyu) is a cultural activity involving the preparation and presentation of matcha “powdered green tea”. During a tea gathering, sweets are served while the host prepares matcha. The gathering also involves conversation between the host and guests regarding the bowls and utensils used to prepare tea and the art displayed in the tearoom, which are often chosen according to the season and purpose of the gathering or in relation to one of the guests.
The Konoe family played an important role in chanoyu, and Konoe Iehiro (1667-1736) held over 300 tea gatherings. Iehiro’s collection of teascoops is one the most popular items in the Yōmei Bunko collection, which includes the teascoops hand carved by the former emperor and Sen Rikyū himself.
Japanese Sake by Yamamoto Honke Brewery
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Saké will be provided by two breweries from two major region of saké industry, Fushimi and Itami.
Yamamoto Honke is the oldest brewery in Kyoto found in 1667, located in Fushimi the heart of saké brewing in Kyoto .
The brewery’s founder, Genbee Yamamoto’s name has been inherited over the years, the current being the 11th generation. Yamamoto Honke sources its spring water from the surrounding mountain, known for its soft and rich character. The water is known as “Shiragikui” or “white chrysanthemum water”. The well next to the brewery is visited by tourists as well as local residents..
Their signature brand is called Shinsei, which was named and written by Tomioka Tessai, the greatest literati of the 18-19th century. It was through friendship between Tessai and the 8th generation Genbee who was also a literati with penchant for poetry and tea ceremony.
Saké will be provided by two breweries from two major region of saké industry, Fushimi and Itami.
Yamamoto Honke is the oldest brewery in Kyoto found in 1667, located in Fushimi the heart of saké brewing in Kyoto .
The brewery’s founder, Genbee Yamamoto’s name has been inherited over the years, the current being the 11th generation. Yamamoto Honke sources its spring water from the surrounding mountain, known for its soft and rich character. The water is known as “Shiragikui” or “white chrysanthemum water”. The well next to the brewery is visited by tourists as well as local residents..
Their signature brand is called Shinsei, which was named and written by Tomioka Tessai, the greatest literati of the 18-19th century. It was through friendship between Tessai and the 8th generation Genbee who was also a literati with penchant for poetry and tea ceremony.
Japanese Sake by Konishi Shuzou Brewery
Saké will be provided by two breweries from two major region of saké industry, Itami and Fushimi.
Konishi Brewing from Fushimi, found in 1550 is the oldest brewery still owned and managed by the founding family. Their signature brand “Shirayuki” (White Snow) is named after the beautiful and spectacular scenery of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji by the second generation owner, Soutaku, on his way to Tokyo to deliver sake in barrels on horseback.
Legend has it that the first refined clear saké was brewed in Itami during the Edo period (1603-1867). Clear saké in contrast to the cloudy saké which were the majority then, gained popularity which to led to Itami being known as “the birthplace of saké.
Itami was once under the domain of the Konoe family, and it’s sake brewing developed significantly under the patronage of the Konoe family.
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Konishi Brewing from Fushimi, found in 1550 is the oldest brewery still owned and managed by the founding family. Their signature brand “Shirayuki” (White Snow) is named after the beautiful and spectacular scenery of the snow-capped Mt. Fuji by the second generation owner, Soutaku, on his way to Tokyo to deliver sake in barrels on horseback.
Legend has it that the first refined clear saké was brewed in Itami during the Edo period (1603-1867). Clear saké in contrast to the cloudy saké which were the majority then, gained popularity which to led to Itami being known as “the birthplace of saké.
Itami was once under the domain of the Konoe family, and it’s sake brewing developed significantly under the patronage of the Konoe family.
Saké or the Japanese rice wine will be served during the reception at the end of the event. saké and traditional ceremonies are inseparable as it is part of Shinto purification rituals to solicit rich harvests the following year.
Kyomai: Kyoto Style Dance
The Kyomai dance will be performed by Geisha during the reception. Geisha are highly skilled entertainers who appear at high-end dinners, private parties and special events to add a special touch to the proceedings. They have trained for years in the traditional arts namely the Kyomai, Kyoto style dance.
Fully-fledged geisha are formally called “Geiko”, and young apprentice, usually between the ages of 15 and 20 are called “Maiko”. In addition there is “Jikata” who specialises in musical instruments.
There are schools that teaches dance to those geishas, of which the most established school is the Inoue school. The Inoue school only accept Geiko and Maiko of the Gion district which is now the largest and the most popular among 6 major districts.
Sato, the founder of the Inoue school started working at Konoe family in the 18th century at age 16. She was already a trained dancer but having access to other established performing arts at the imperia court, led her to become a unique dancer of her own. The Konoe family gave her the name Yachiyo and "Konoe Bishi" crest to establish the Inoue school.
The name Yachiyo has been passed down from generation to generation, the current generation being the fifth.
Fully-fledged geisha are formally called “Geiko”, and young apprentice, usually between the ages of 15 and 20 are called “Maiko”. In addition there is “Jikata” who specialises in musical instruments.
There are schools that teaches dance to those geishas, of which the most established school is the Inoue school. The Inoue school only accept Geiko and Maiko of the Gion district which is now the largest and the most popular among 6 major districts.
Sato, the founder of the Inoue school started working at Konoe family in the 18th century at age 16. She was already a trained dancer but having access to other established performing arts at the imperia court, led her to become a unique dancer of her own. The Konoe family gave her the name Yachiyo and "Konoe Bishi" crest to establish the Inoue school.
The name Yachiyo has been passed down from generation to generation, the current generation being the fifth.
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