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camelliakyoto.bsky.social
Camellia Tea Ceremony
@camelliakyoto.bsky.social
1.3K followers 1.4K following 1.9K posts
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 &
@camelliakyoto@mastodon.social
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camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍵NEW YEAR, NEW SWEETS😋

The New Year in Japan starts with a wave of 'firsts': hatsumōde (初詣 'first shrine visit'), hatsuyume (初夢 'first dream'), and hatsugama (初釜 'first tea ceremony') to name a few.

There is one sweet in particular we begin the year with in the tearoom...hanabiramochi.
Hanabiramochi, a sweet typically eaten around the New Year period. A circle of white mochi is folded over pink sweet bean paste to form a semi-circular shape. When folded the light pink colour of the bean paste glows through white mochi. Snow on the maneki neko and small statue of Hotei at Taizo-in. Statue of Daruma at Horin-ji. Beneath his pedestal are tiny statues of the 12 animals of the zodiac. Each year the statues are rearranged so the animal of the year faces the front. Hanabiramochi, a sweet typically eaten around the New Year period. A circle of white mochi is folded over pink sweet bean paste to form a semi-circular shape. When folded the light pink colour of the bean paste glows through white mochi.
January 5, 2026 at 2:17 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🎍😴HATSU-YUME 'FIRST DREAM' (初夢)💤🪙

shaping
my year's first dream...
a cold night
初夢を拵へて売る夜寒哉
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1824.

On the first three days of the New Year people pay close attention to their dreams, for they may well predict what fortune or disaster is lying in wait.
#NewYear
Woodblock print of Mt Fuji, eggplants and a hawk...auspicious symbols for the New Year. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ A portrait of the publisher Konno (Nishimuraya Yohachi I) of the Eiju-do publishing house commemorating his 71st birthday. It shows him seated, dressed in a kimono and 'haori' coat, both decorated with the character 'kotobuki' (longevity). He holds a fan and sits before a lacquer lectern as he practices the popular hobby of musical recitation. He is seated on a mattress with a pile of bedding directly behind him. In the background is a screen painted with a rising sun over Mr. Fuji, a hawk in flight and a bush of eggplant, the three symbols considered lucky if dreamt about in the first dream of the New Year (‘hatsuyume’). Image and description, thank to - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ Woodblock print - a triptych of Lucky First Dreams of the New Year: Mt Fuji, a falcon, and eggplants. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ Woodblock print of a woman in kimono napping. Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
January 2, 2026 at 4:26 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
❄️FESTIVE FANCIES🦌

looking delicious
the snow falling softly
softly
うまさふな雪やふふはりふふはりと
-Kobayashi Issa.

As we wait impatiently for snow (and Christmas), Oimatsu's (老松) 'kazahana' (風花) brings festive cheer to the tearoom. The sweet imagines snowflakes sparkling as they fall.
#Kyoto #wagashi
Snow falling on Myoshin-ji's halls. Oimatsu's 'kazahana', a sweet that features a snowflake brand. Oimatsu's 'kazahana' sweet is filled with a smooth, bright pink bean paste. Snow falling on Myoshin-ji's Sanmon gate.
December 23, 2025 at 1:12 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍊THE WINTER SOLSTICE🍃

Today is 'Tōji' (冬至), the Winter Solstice. On this day we traditionally enjoy 'yuzu-yu' (柚子湯), a bath steeped in yuzu🍊☺️♨️

#Japan #Kyoto #tōji' #冬至 #wintersolstice #yuzuyu #柚子湯
a capybara with a yellow ball on its head is swimming in a pool
ALT: a capybara with a yellow ball on its head is swimming in a pool
media.tenor.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:52 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🎅🦌🎁SANTA'S ON HIS WAY🛷🎄🙌

Father Christmas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Papa Noël, Père Noël, Weihnachtsmann, Babbo Natale, Papai Noel, Ded Moroz...

...whatever you call this festive fellow, may I now present Ho-ho-hotei and Nao Noel👼

#Christmas #サンタクロース #Japan #京都
Nao-san (in kimono) and our adorable statue of Hotei model in Santa hats. A Santa inspired sweet. A kinton (sweet) styled like a Christmas tree, with tiny baubles and a jelly star. A cheerful statue of Hotei is Santa hat admires the teahouse's snowy garden.
December 18, 2025 at 1:23 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🪣🧼🫧USHERING IN THE NEW YEAR🧹🧽✨

Preparations for the New Year in Japan begin on December 13th, 'Shōgatsu-goto Hajime' (正月事始め).
Pine decorations are cut or bought ('matsu-mukae' 松迎え) and the house is cleaned from top to bottom ('susu-harai' すす払い).

#松の内 #Japan
Monks dressed in white clean Nara's Great Buddha with large dusters and cloths. Nao-san enjoys a morning matcha, looking at a snowy teahouse garden. A meal celebrating the end of the New Year period at Torin-in temple. Sprigs of pine attached to gate pillars are a common site in Kyoto around the New Year.
December 17, 2025 at 12:52 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
Absolutely thrilled to be invited on to the Krewe of Japan podcast, and could easily have chatted all day. Next time we must do a live record from the teahouse!

And even if you are not interested in tea ceremony, there are so many interesting topics covered on the podcast. Get listening🙇
kreweofjapan.bsky.social Krewe of Japan Podcast @kreweofjapan.bsky.social · 22d
This week, with Atsuko Mori of Camellia Tea Ceremony (@camelliakyoto.bsky.social) as our guide, the Krewe dives deep into everything involved in the Japanese Tea Ceremony & how it's stood the test of time.

🎧 krewe-of-japan.simplecast.com/episodes/jap...
🔗 linktr.ee/kojpodcast
📺 youtu.be/o67bo8jFBQw
December 15, 2025 at 12:42 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
👀↪️THE LOOKING BACK AMIDA↩️🤨

Much like Christmas, it always feels as if the autumn colours will never arrive...

...but just like that they're gone and it doesn't feel like there was enough time to enjoy them🥹

#momiji #maple #紅葉 #Kyoto #京都 #autumn #autumnrain #Eikando #永観堂
December 12, 2025 at 7:22 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🥣RADISH GOBBLING😊

It's time once again to eat up Daihōon-ji's (大報恩寺) blessed daikon for another year of protection against sickness and disease.
On December 7th and 8th about 5000 radishes are cooked and 10,000 meals consumed during the 'Radish Boiling Festival' (大根焚 'Daikon-daki').

#大根焚 #daikon
Blessed radishes for sale at Daihoon-ji on December 7th and 8th. A cat welcomes visitors to Daihoon-ji for the 'Radish Boiling Festival'. A bowl of boiled radish and fried tofu, believed to protect against sickness for the winter ahead. A cheerful statue of Hotei in the grounds of Daihoon-ji.
December 11, 2025 at 4:03 AM
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🐗🙏1000 BOARS HELP FOUND A TEMPLE📿🐗

Known affectionately as 'Matsu-no-dera' (松の寺 the 'Temple of the Pine'), Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺) is the 20th of 33 temples on the famed Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage (西国三十三所).
It is a famous spot for enjoying hydrangea in early summer, and the fall colours.
Autumn colours almost block the view of Yoshimine-dera's main gate. A wide-mouthed stone komainu enjoys the autumn colours. A red lantern looks rather dull under the stunning orange and red momiji leaves. A glimpse at Yoshimine-dera's pagoda through autumn leaves.
December 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🙏🍀'THE SEVEN GODS OF FORTUNE' (七福神)🪙💸

O New Year's god
this year too
send help!
とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶).
Trans. David Lanoue.

As the year draws to a close, images of seven cheerful figures (often riding a treasure laden boat) begin to appear all over Japan.
#七福神 #sevengodsoffortune
The god Daikokuten helps 2 ladies prepare decorations for the New Year...from the series 'The Seven Gods of Good Fortune in the Modern World' (1769). Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ The god Daikokuten balances his magic mallet and a mouse to entertain a young lady...from the series 'Fashionable Amusements of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune' (1773-75). Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ The god Hotei babysits a child...from the series 'The Seven Gods of Good Fortune in the Modern World' (1769). Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/ The god Ebisu sits writing calligraphy...from the series 'The Seven Gods of Good Fortune in the Modern World' (1769). Image thanks - https://ja.ukiyo-e.org/
December 8, 2025 at 1:24 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🎇🏮CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL🏮🎆

Kyōto has many light-up events during the autumn, but Manpuku-ji's is something to behold.
As one might expect from one of the country's few Chinese-style temples, the colourful lanterns are heavily influenced by festivals on the mainland.

#Kyoto #京都
Lanterns in the shape of men performing a Chinese dragon dance. Bodhisattva lanterns lining the path at Manpuku-ji. Moon viewing amongst cherry blossoms. A scene of imperial ladies enjoying the moon's reflection in a pond...the whole thing made up of lanterns. A lantern monkey stealing the fruit from peach trees.
December 5, 2025 at 4:31 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🪡TYING LOOSE ENDS👋

December 8th and February 8th in west Japan are known as 'Koto-osame' (御事納め), a good day to finish something, and 'Koto-hajime' (御事始め), a good day for beginning something.
Rather confusingly (but unsurprisingly), this is the opposite in east Japan.

#御事納め #御事始め
Tenryu-ji's Sogenchi (garden) in autumn. Sashiko (刺し子 'little stabs'), a type of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching. A tomato shaped pin cushion. The Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama in autumn time.
December 4, 2025 at 1:56 AM
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😇THE TEMPLE OF THE 2 BUDDHAS😇

Nison-in (二尊院) is named after its two statues: Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来 Buddha) blesses the world's newborns, and Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来) greets the dead.
It's unusual for a temple to have two principal images.

#Nisonin #二尊院 #Arashiyama #嵐山
Maple trees line the approach to Nison-in, spectacularly red and orange in autumn. Nison-in's principal images of Buddha and Amida. Image thanks - https://nisonin.jp A canopy of red maple leaves stretch over the walls at Nison-in. Autumn adds a splash of colour to the garden beside the main hall at Nison-in.
December 3, 2025 at 1:08 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍁AUTUMN AT KYŌTO'S GREAT WALL🧱

During fall Kitano Tenmangū allows guests to enjoy the maples that grow along the Odoi (御土居). Now mostly leveled, this great berm was created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to encircle and define the boundaries of the city.
#Kyoto #京都 #北野天満宮
The Uguisu-bashi, a vermillion arched bridge that crosses the Tenjin-gawa river beneath Kitano Tenmangu. Steps climb the Odoi under autumn colours. This old earthen berm could easily be mistaken for a natural slope. Orange maple leaves add a splash of colour to a bamboo grove at Kitano Tenmangu. Autumn at the Tenjingawa, and red leaves gather like a thick carpet about the river.
December 1, 2025 at 2:46 AM
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✨😇A SLICE OF PARADISE🪷🎶

Byōdō-in's ( 平等院) Hōō-dō (鳳凰堂 'Phoenix Hall') was completed in 1053. Once completely surrounded by Aji-ga-ike pond, the stretch of water helped protect the building from fires in 1336 and 1483 that completely destroyed the rest of the temple.

#Byodoin #平等院 #Uji
The 'Phoenix Hall' of Byodo-in, framed by autumn leaves. Closer view of the 'Phoenix Hall'. Look closely and you can see the face of the statue of Amida peering out. The 'Phoenix Hall' and pond. Aji-no-ike stretches before the 'Phoenix Hall'...this is the view looking from the hall to the gardens and Uji River (hidden) beyond.
November 28, 2025 at 3:57 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍁🍂AN AUTUMN GEM😊🍁

I wish I had
my companion to nag...
autumn dusk
小言いふ相手のほしや秋の暮
-Kobayashi Issa, 1823.

Half-forgotten for most of the year, Tenju-an (天授庵), like many of Nanzen-ji's small sub-temples, bursts into life during late autumn.
#Kyoto #京都 #Japan #天授庵
Autumn colours reflected in the pond at Tenju-an. Entering the gardens of Tenju-an. The path turns at right angles preventing the visitor from seeing anything but a glimpse of colour when they first step foot through the garden gate. Stretch of sand behind the main hall at Tenju-an, encircled by autumn colours. A small pine tree grows in the dry landscape garden at Tenju-an...in autumn red and orange leaves make the perfect backdrop.
November 27, 2025 at 12:05 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍃🍁THE TEMPLE WITHOUT WALLS🍂🌨️

the autumn wind
twisting & turning
enters my gate
秋風や曲がり曲がりて門に入
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶), 1814

Of all the temples in Kyōto, Jōjakkō-ji's (常寂光寺) seasonal transformations are some of the most beautiful.

...& this is where Kurobee lives🐈‍⬛
Pagoda at Jojakko-ji, framed by autumn colours. The thatched gate of Jojakko-ji during the early summer greens. Kurobee the black temple cat at Jojakko-ji reception. Stunning red and yellow autumn leaves.
November 26, 2025 at 3:21 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍂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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🙇‍♂️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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍂👀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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
👣🤔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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🌬️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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🦕🦖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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍊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