I had visited Haku-undo Tea Garden a few days ago, but only stayed outside and watched the exterior of the garden.

This is the second time for me to visit the garden.

Japan tea ceremony is profound. Tea ceremony dates back to the 13th century. The ceremony was originally for monks to focus their ideas with tea, and went on to become a shared tea ceremony. The essence of the tea ceremony can be summarized as “Wa, Kei, Sei, Jyaku.”

In the modern tea ceremony, the owner prepare tea and snacks (Japanese style desert) for the guest and guests in accordance with fixed rules and procedures. In addition to the diet, the spirit of tea ceremony also extends to both inside and outside the tea room layout; arrangement of tasting tea, calligraphy and painting, gardening and pottery tea garden are the focus of the tea ceremony.

Haku-undo Tea Garden is located in a place surrounded by the strange stones of Kyora, Hakone, it well preserved the tranquil mood of Japan’s mountainous area. It was built by Takashi Masuda who was Japan’s famous tea ceremony expert in Taisho period. Haku-undo had then become an important place for holding tea ceremony.

It was transfered to Sanke, Hara Tomitaro who late built a new room called Tsuijisai.

In 1940, the tea garden was transfered to Matsunaga Yasuzaemon.

In this way, the tea room had been hand over by three generations through Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods.

Haku-undo tea garden also became famous due to the three great tea experts, Dunou, Sankei and Jian.

The tea room is located at an elevated ground on the top of the mountain, it contains four buildings that are Haku-undo, Fusenan, Tsuijian and Hakurokuto.

I entered a wooden gate, followed a stone-paved path and turned at a conner, suddenly Haku-undo appeared before me. The tea garden is kept very clean and pure. I lowed my voice and even don’t have the dare to press the camera shutter in case the sound broke the tranquil mood of the place.

I reached the Haku-undo, I saw there was a small bell on the side of the gate, when pushed the owner will come and welcome the guest.

I took off my shoes, sit straight with my knees on the floor in front of the niche.

There is a handwriting hanging in front of the niche, decorated with seasonal flowers. Its simple and elegant.

The owner handle me a dish of snacks. After eating the snack, the owner brought me some tea.

I followed the instruction of the owner, drinking tea with my hand holding the bowl and my left hand holding from the bottom, rotate the bowl 90 degrees clockwise before drink it.

After enjoying the tea, I had a tour of other buildings in the tea garden.

The roof of the building were still covered with snow, I walked barefoot on the wooden floor, felt very chilly.

From the beginning to the end, I dare not talk too loudly, afraid the destruction of the tea garden of quiet.

When leaving the garden, the sky is still raining, the owner watched me leave.

I think that I and the elegance of Japan ladies may not meet each other forever. We may met like this only happened once in our life. I think this is exactly the spirit of tea ceremony that is “Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur.”

We have to treasure every encounter in our life.

Information

* Please refer to the latest info before visiting the place.