Camellia Tea Ceremony
LightNews LightNews
banner
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
Camellia Tea Ceremony
@camelliakyoto.bsky.social
1.2K followers 1.3K following 1.6K 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
Posts Replies Media Videos
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍶😵‍💫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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🐉👣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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🔥👏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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍁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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🖌️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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🐁🐶🐄🐰🐒🐍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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
😇👋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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🕯️📿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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
👣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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🔥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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
😈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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🪵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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍃🍂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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🌳📏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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🏊‍♂️🧢🏉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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
💜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
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🦋BUTTERFLIES🐛

Sonyō-in (尊陽院), a sub-temple of Honpō-ji (本法寺), has a rather stunning ceiling.

not yet a butterfly
even as autumn passes
the caterpillar
秋を経て蝶もなめるや菊の露
-Matsuo Bashō (松尾芭蕉)
Trans. Reichhold.

#Japan #butterflies #蝶々 #Kyoto
Sonyo-in's sumptuous coffered ceiling features paintings of flowers and butterflies on a gilded background. A chestnut tiger buttefly. Sonyo-in's sumptuous coffered ceiling features paintings of flowers and butterflies on a gilded background. Sonyo-in's sumptuous coffered ceiling features paintings of flowers and butterflies on a gilded background.
October 9, 2025 at 2:17 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🐦SWEETS TO MAKE THE WAGTAILS SING🎶

As the famous saying goes, "hana yori dango" (花より団子), "dumplings more than flowers" (substance over style)...but why not combine them?

Flower-inspired sweets dazzle in early autumn, shortly before the swallows depart.
#wagashi #和菓子
'Fuyo', a pink hibiscus inspired sweet. 'Suimen-no-tsuki', a pale yellow sweet inspired by moonlight reflected on water. Sonyo-in's spectacularly colourful ceiling, filled with images of butterflies. A red and blue jellied sweet inspired by artist Kitawaki Noboru's (北脇昇 1901-1951) painting the 'greater henbit' (ホトケノザ).
October 8, 2025 at 3:25 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🌝🎑MOON VIEWING🥮👀

Wadaiko (和太鼓) under the full moon at Matsuno'o Taisha (松尾大社)🎑🥁

#moonviewing #お月見 #Kyoto #京都 #MatsunooTaisha #松尾大社 #taiko #wadaiko #和太鼓 #harvestmoon #fullmoon #Japan
October 7, 2025 at 2:40 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
Always nice to see my boss's picture pop up in my feed🥰

Tea ceremony experts see matcha hype as a big opportunity japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10...

#matcha #抹茶 #teaceremony #茶道 #Kyoto #京都
Tea ceremony experts see matcha hype as a big opportunity
Matcha’s sudden spike in popularity overseas has prompted debate in Japan about whether the global craze risks diluting tea’s cultural meaning.
japantimes.co.jp
October 3, 2025 at 3:29 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🙏BIG BUDDHA AMONGST THE COSMOS😇

Nara is one of the best places in Japan to see cosmos, and in recent years Hannya-ji (般若寺) has taken great efforts to make itself one of the best places in Nara to enjoy the flowers...
...that, and a very unusual soda🥤

#Japan #コスモス #奈良
A soda inspired by Nara's Great Buddha (big candy floss hair!). A display of vibrant pink cosmos at Hannya-ji. Nao-san pushes against a large rock in the grounds of Hannya-ji. Cosmos flowers blooming in the grounds of Hannya-ji.
October 2, 2025 at 8:19 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🙏'FLOWERS OF THE DEAD'😰

From early autumn vivid clusters of flowers begin to frequently appear beside the roads, rice fields and waterways of Kyōto.

In Japan spider lilies (particularly the red variety) are known as 'higanbana' (彼岸花), as they bloom around the fall equinox.

#higanbana #彼岸花 #Japan
Red spider lilies (higanbana) bloom beside the path in Myoshin-ji. Higanbana can be seen growing by the wayside all across the city during autumn. Higanbana and lantern in Taizo-in. Higanbana preparing to bloom in Myoshin-ji.
September 29, 2025 at 1:37 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🌸FOOD FOR THE EQUINOX🍂
Food plays an important roll at Higan (彼岸).

On the first and last day of the equinoctial week, rice dumplings (団子 'dango') are offered at the family altar. Rice cakes covered in bean jam (botamochi in spring and ohagi in fall) are presented mid-week.

#ohagi #botamochi #おはぎ
A twist on the usual ohagi (sticky balls of rice covered in red bean jam) for spring. The bottom right is a typical ohagi, but to the left of it is a pink sakura flavored version, and above these one covered in kinako (roasted soy flour). Cherry blossoms at Ninna-ji. Red maple leaves at Yoshida-jinja. A twist on the usual ohagi (sticky balls of rice covered in red bean jam) for spring. The bottom right is a typical ohagi, but to the left of it is a pink sakura flavored version, and above these one covered in kinako (roasted soy flour).
September 24, 2025 at 5:25 AM
camelliakyoto.bsky.social
🍂AUTUMN EQUINOX🙏

Today is Shūbun-no-hi (秋分の日 'Autumn Equinox Day’)📿
Typically falling on September 22nd or 23rd, this time of year coincides with the Buddhist observances 'Shūki Higan-e' (秋季彼岸会 'Autumn Equinoctial Services'). It has been a national holiday since 1948.

#autumn #Kyoto #秋分の日
A moment to enjoy the autumn colours in the tea room. A statue of Jizo holding a baby watches over the cemetery at Taizo-in. Higanbana, red spider lilies, bloom at this time of year, and are deeply associated with the dead. Konkaikomyo-ji's cemetery is one of the city's largest...filled with thousands of gravestones, stupas and Buddhist statues.
September 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM