Kyoto Machiya Stories —Volume 1: The Story of “Ota Family Residence（太田邸）”
This is an English translation and reprint of part of an article from the “STORIES” section of the Kyoto Machiya Succession Support Net (MATCH YA). “STORIES” introduces examples of how Kyo-machiya, the cooperation of the Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration, are being utilized.
Kyoto Machiya Succession Support Net
This group of experts, drawn from the fields of architecture, real estate, law, financial institutions and government agencies, work together with owners and residents to preserve Kyo-machiya and other traditional buildings.
MATCH YA
A website that connects owners and those who wish to inherit or utilize Kyo-machiya in order to ensure their proper preservation and longevity.
https://kyoto-machisen.jp/matchya/(※Only available in Japanese)
Volume 1: Ota Family Residence × Camellia Tea Ceremony
Kyo-machiya resident/user: Ms. Atsuko Mori
Providing experience of the Japanese spirit through tea ceremony in a traditional house
The Ota family residence is an elegant, modern Japanese-style two-story house built in 1922. The main building, placed in a spacious Japanese-style garden, is very valuable as a Taisho-era（大正時代 1912–1926） building that still maintains its original appearance over 90 years after its construction.
The building faces the approach to Ryoan-ji Temple, along which many people stroll throughout the year.
Mr. Ota, the owner of the building, consulted with the Kyoto Machiya Succession Support Net in the hopes of having the building managed by someone who would use it carefully while maintaining and preserving it. In response, the Net proposed a few ways in which the building might be utilized.
Subsequently, Camellia Tea Ceremony, a business providing tea ceremony experiences, was selected from among Net members who submitted proposals on the use of the building. The building is now home to Camellia Garden, a tea house run by the business. Making the most of the atmosphere of this building and garden, Camellia Garden offers a place for visitors from Japan and abroad to easily experience the art of tea ceremony in a traditional atmosphere.
Describing the reaction of tea ceremony participants, Ms. Atsuko Mori, the Director of Camellia Tea Ceremony, says, “All participants are surprised to hear that the building is about 100 years old.” She adds: “We hope to share not only tea ceremony etiquette but also the spirit of “wakeiseijaku（和敬静寂）” (the four elements of harmony, reverence, purity and tranquility), which underpins the practice of tea ceremony. The atmosphere of the tea room and garden makes participants’ tea ceremony experiences all the more memorable. I was extremely lucky to find this building.” Tea ceremony programs offered in English have met with a favorable reaction from participants from abroad and are highly rated on Tripadvisor.
Mr. Ota, the owner of the building, says: “We are very happy that our building has found a new role. We hope that the house will help many people experience the depth of Kyoto’s culture.”
The Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration, established by the City of Kyoto, is now asking for donations for the Kyo-machiya Machizukuri Fund, which subsidizes the cost of renovating Kyo-machiya townhouses.
Your donations will go completely to the preservation of Kyo-machiya.
Kyoto Machiya Machizukuri Fund
Kyoto Center for Community Collaboration
More about Kyo-Machiya — Machiya Vision
Kyoto City is also calling for donations in order to help hand down Kyoto’s heritage, including Kyo-machiya, to future generations.
