As autumn deepens, our tea ceremony instructors and staff involved in Yumeyakata’s tea ceremony experiences took part in the Chasen Kuyo (Tea Whisk Memorial Service) held at Koshoji Temple in Uji.

The ceremony is an opportunity to express our gratitude to the tea whisks that have been carefully used in tea gatherings day after day, offering a respectful farewell to those that have completed their role.

At Koshoji Temple in Uji, a memorial service for well-used tea whisks is held following the Chaguchi-kiriri no Gi, a traditional ceremony marking the opening of the tea jar. This service brings the annual Uji Tea Festival to a close.

On clear days, the ceremony takes place at the tea whisk memorial mound in front of the temple’s main gate. This year, however, the service was held inside the main hall due to the rain.

Amid the beauty of autumn in Uji, taking part in this tea-related tradition gave us a special moment to pause and express our gratitude once again to the tea whisks that support each and every tea gathering.

We will continue to cherish each bowl of tea and the quiet moments shared around it.