The Tea Ceremony お作法

As part of training as wedding staff, we are taking part in "etiquette training". The instructor is Hattori Kazuko, famous for starting the first kimono academy in Japan. (These are schools that teach how to wear kimono http://kimonomuseum.com/welcome/index.html.)
I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but Ms. Hattori's soft voice helped me relax and enjoy the lesson.  


We learned about the tea ceremony, also called "chato" or "chanoyu". Tea has been enjoyed for centuries in Japan, and there are many styles of performing the ceremony. But it's not just about enjoying tea, in the tea ceremony many traditional arts can be appreciated: art, pottery, flower arrangement, architecture and gardening, kaiseki cuisine and sweets. The tea ceremony is about letting visitors enjoy these various elements and each tea ceremony is set up to appreciate the seasons. Paintings, tea bowls and flowers are specifically selected by the host. 


KyotoWeddingsでは、スタッフ教育カリキュラムのひとつとして【お作法講座】をおこなっています。


講師はなんと！！！
日本に初めて着物の着付け教室や学院を創設された服部和子先生です！
http://kimonomuseum.com/welcome/index.html
最初は緊張しましたが。。。服部先生の優しい声のトーンや美しい話し方のおかげで楽しくわかりやすいレッスンになりました♬


茶道は『茶湯（ちゃとう）』や『茶の湯』とも呼ばれていて、古くからお茶を楽しむために、数多くの作法の元で行われています。また、お茶をいれて楽しむだけでなく美術、工芸、詩歌、生花茶室建築や造園、懐石料理、お菓子など幅広い分野にまたがる総合文化なのです！！！
季節や趣向、お客様に応じて道具や料理、お菓子、床にかける掛軸、茶室に飾る生花などを変えるため、お客様はその調和を楽しむことも茶道なのです。

Near the end of the lesson, all the staff showed grace in taking their tea.
レッスンが終わる頃にはスタッフ全員の作法が美しい！！！！

Thank you, Ms. Hattori! We look forward to the next lesson. 
さすが！！！
服部　和子先生♬
次回のレッスンも楽しみです。


ありがとうございました！！！

Shimogamo Shrine 下鴨神社

Today I helped out at a wedding ceremony at Shimogamo shrine, one of the most historical shrines in Kyoto dating from 90 BC.

It is famous for weddings because the residing god is the god of partnership and marriage. The shrine also features two trees that join as one half way.

Here is a photo of the ceremony hall.

今日は、下鴨神社での結婚式のアテンドをしてきました！
下鴨神社は紀元前９０年に創建されたといわれている大変貴重な文化遺産です。

２本の木が途中から１本に繋がった「連理の榊」と呼ばれるご神木があり縁結びの神様としても有名なため挙式にも大変人気の神社です。


葵生殿は挙式会場

From the waiting rooms, the bride and groom lead two lines (of relatives) and walk slowly towards the ceremony hall.  The photo here is the backdrop where the bridal couple takes a group photo with relatives. The photo is then given to guests as a present. It's a beautiful contrast between the vermillion of the shrine and the bride's white kimono!


お控え室から葵生殿までは、新郎新婦様を先頭に２列縦列でゆっくりあるいて移動される『参進の儀』は厳かで気がひきしまります。


お写真は、挙式後の親族集合写真の撮影風景
新婦様の白無垢と桜門の朱色は本当に美しい！
日本では、この集合写真をゲストへプレゼントされるんですよ♬

Since Shimogamo shrine is famous as a tourist site, many tourists also greet the wedding couple with congratulations. The shrine is also famous for inventing a kind of Japanese sweet, "mitarashi dango", dumplings covered with a sweet sauce.


撮影中は、沢山の観光客の方から『おめでとう！！！』と祝福の声がとびかってました。


そして、なんと下鴨神社にはみたらしの社があり、『みたらし団子の発祥地』としても有名なんですよ！！

Please try these sweets when you visit Kyoto. For more information on weddings in Kyoto, please contact us at info@kmfa-kyoto.com


京都へお越しの際はみたらし団子もご賞味ください♬


下鴨神社で思い出の結婚式してみませんか？お問い合わせは、info@kmfa-kyoto.comまで

Aoi Matsuri Festival, May 15

During the Aoi Matsuri Festival, Kyoto is turned into an illustrated handscroll with the colourful parade and spring foliage. A festival originating from Kamigamo and Shimogamo shrines, the Aoi Matsuri is one of the three great festivals of Kyoto, along with the Gion and Jidai (time period) festivals. Officially called the "Kamo Matsuri", the festival is known for the colourful parade in Heian period costumes. But this event was originally a rite observed by members of the Heian aristocracy.

As the name suggests, everyone from the parade figures and animals to the shrines along the way are decorated with aoi (hollyhock flowers). The parade route starts at the Old Imperial Palace, moves to Shimogamo Shrine then ends at Kamigamo Shrine in northwest Kyoto. The procession involves some 500 people and can stretch one kilometre. The highlight is Saio-dai's palanquin, the heroine of the festival who serves as an attendant for the two shrines. One special girl is chosen each year to take this prestigious role.

With the Aoi Festival, Kyotoites mark the coming of summer. Please come and see this festival for  yourself!

５月１５日（日）

京都の新緑を彩る平安絵巻♬

上賀茂神社と下鴨神社の例祭である葵祭が行われます。葵祭と祇園祭、時代祭の三つを「京都三大祭」といいます。葵祭りは正式には「賀茂祭」といわれ、平安後期の優雅な王朝装束行列で知られていますが、もとは朝廷行事で貴族の祭りでした。

参列者をはじめ、社殿から牛馬まで葵の葉で飾るのがしきたりです。京都御所から下鴨神社を経て上賀茂神社へと向かいます。斎王代（葵祭のヒロイン、斎王の代役なので斎王代と呼ばれ上賀茂神社と下鴨神社に奉仕する女性のことです）の腰輿（およよ）を含む行列は総勢500人を超え、長さは1キロにも及びます。また、行列当日までには上賀茂・下鴨両社にてさまざまな前儀が行われます。

是非、この機会に京都へお越し下さいませ♬

Kyoto's spring foliage

Kyoto is famous for cherry blossoms in spring and the colourful foliage in the fall, but did you know early summer is famous for the new green foliage (shin-roku)? You can enjoy the lovely scents of the new leaves on the spring wind. Neither too hot nor too cold, this is a lovely time to hold a wedding ceremony or photo shoot.

京都は春の桜や秋の紅葉が美しいのは有名ですが、実は、初夏の新緑も美しい名所なのはご存知ですか？

春から夏へ移ろい行く風の香りと一緒に京都を歩いてみてください。

初夏の京都の結婚式は季節も気温も風も最高ですよ♬

お問い合わせは、info@kmfa-kyoto.comまで

Kyoto Azaleas

Azaleas are in full bloom in Kyoto, even the recent rains. The flowers symbolize self-control and moderation, while white azaleas represent "first love". Red azaleas, on the other hand, represent "the happiness of love". Furthermore, mountain azaleas are symbols of passion. 

Spring is the perfect season to come to Kyoto and celebrate with a kimono photo album at local gardens, surrounded by the beautiful flora. Contact us for more information: info@kmfa-kyoto.com

京都はつづじが満開です♬雨が降ってもこんなに奇麗なんですよ！

つつじの花言葉は『自制心』『節制』。白つつじは『初恋』赤つつじは『恋の喜び』。ヤマツツジは『燃える思い』なんです。素敵ですね♬

KyotoWeddingsではこんな素敵な花と一緒に思い出のお写真を撮影します♬着物でもドレスでも撮影は可能です！是非、思い出のお土産にいかがですか？

お問い合わせは、info@kmfa-kyoto.com まで

京都でつつじが有名な場所は宇治にある『三室戸寺』
なんと、つつじは２万株、しゃくなげは一千株もあるそうです！！！
ゴールデンウィーク前後が満開になるそうなので是非行ってみてください！

The Kaiseki Dinner and Maiko Dances

Friday, April 8th, Evening

After the ceremony at Okazaki shrine, Peter and Amy were changed out of their kimono and had a short rest before dinner that evening. The venue was the historical Tokan-so, a famous ryotei (traditional gourmet restaurant) located on the north side of Maruyama park, right in the heart of Gion nearby such locales as Yasaka shrine, Kodai-ji temple and Chio-in temple. Ryotei, historically open only to the elite and wealthy, are seen as the epitome of Japanese cuisine and hospitality. They often dot the outskirts of Kyoto and feature a private garden and at times accommodation.

岡崎神社にて挙式をあげられたAmy様と Peter様は再びブライダルカーにてKyotoWeddingsへ戻りお着替え後お食事会の料亭へ移動されました。円山公園の東側高台寺、八坂神社、知恩院、祇園などの人気の観光地に囲まれた場所にあるのが東観荘です。レトロさと和風が混ざった落ち着いた料亭です。

Entering Tokan-so were surprised by the cherry blossoms arrangement decorating the entrance. The lobby also features a dry garden art piece designed by Tokan-so's owner, as well as a display of Noh drama costumes.

まず玄関をくぐると石畳ときれいに手入れされた中庭そして扉を開けると生け花がお出迎え

すべて東観荘のオーナー様がアレンジされるそうです！ロビーには枯山水のお庭を模型にしたテーブルオブジェ♬能の舞台としても使用される一角には和装が展示してあるんです！

細やかなところまで気をつくしたおもてなしですね。

The private dining room was located on the second floor and featured western table/chairs as well as an adjoining room for the maiko dance. The dinner menu included some traditional auspicious symbols to celebrate the occasion. For example, there were dishes in the shape of a crane and turtles, traditional symbols of happiness. There was also a container with a lid in the shape of a frog. The idea is that both parts (bride and groom) must work and match to make a whole, a wish for the well-being of the new bridal couple.

そしてお食事をされるお部屋には、帯のトップクロスで飾られたテービルと椅子海外の方は正座が難しいためテーブルと椅子は本当にうれしいですね♬八寸といわれる前菜には、お祝いの意味を込めた材料や器が使用されていました。例えば。。。鶴、亀の器→福寿、長寿蛤→蛤は同じ対の貝しか重なり合うことができないことから、家内安全や末長いご夫婦の縁を願う意味を込められています。お料理の材料にしたり器としても使用されることがあります。

The meal also featuring something everyone had been awaiting -- the arrival of the maiko. Two maiko from the Miyagawa district joined us that evening, Satono and Marufuku. Maiko are geisha in training from the ages of 15-20. Here they are performing one of two dances.
そして、お食事会のなかでもお二人が大変楽しみにされていたのが、舞子さんによる祝舞をご披露♬

Of course, during the meal we took a lot of photos with the maiko and enjoyed their conversation. Peter and Amy had a lot of questions, and we did our best to translate the conversation. It was the perfect way to end a special day: a beautiful full course kaiseki dinner and the company of maiko.

It was a pleasure meeting Peter and Amy and helping them organize their wedding in Kyoto. We wish them all the best and hope to see them again in Kyoto in the future!

もちろん、祝舞の後にはご一緒に撮影をされたりお話をされたりとゆっくり堪能して頂きました♬京料理も大変満足と完食！本当にすてきなお二人に出会えてご担当させていただき光栄でした！Amy様Peter様　お二人とご家族の末永いご多幸を願っております♬また、京都へお越し下さいませ！

The Wedding Ceremony

After moving from our offices to Okazaki shrine, the bride and groom prepare in the waiting room. Here they receive final instructions on what happens during the ceremony, through an interpreter. It's an exciting time but a good chance for Peter and Amy to catch their breaths before the ceremony.

Kyoto Weddingsのお支度場所から岡崎神社へ移動されたAmy様とPeter様はまずお控え室にて挙式のご説明をうけられました。もちろん！Kyoto Weddingsのスタッフがアテンドと通訳をさせて頂くので日本語がわからないいお二人も安心して説明をうけられました。

Here Peter and Amy share an intimate moment before the main event. The waiting is also decorated with some Japanese antiques, making for another photo chapter to add to the day. When the time came, we left in a slow procession toward the main hall, lead by the shrine attendants and priest, followed by the bridal couple and family members. The cherry blossoms in full bloom greeted us along the way.

自然に手をつながれているお二人本当にお互いを大切にされているなと感じました！お控え室も純和風とアンティーク感がマッチした落ち着いた場所なのでお写真撮影にもよかったんですよ！そして挙式スタートまずは、巫女を先頭に新郎新婦様、親族の方が整列し挙式をおこなうご本殿までゆっくり進んでゆく参進の議満開の桜が祝福しているみたいでしょ！

On-lookers at the shrine were heard shouting, "Omedeto!" (congratulations!). The ceremony itself lasted about 30 minutes and the Kyoto Weddings staff were there to translate everything to make sure everyone was comfortable. The ceremony involves a purification rite by the priest, a ritual exchanging of sake, and a proclamation of marriage vows. When everything finished, it was time for photos in front of the shrine.

岡崎神社の参拝客も”おめでとう”と祝福の声をくださいました！挙式は、約３０分もちろんKyotoWeddingsのスタッフがぴったりアテンド＆通訳をさせて頂くのでお二人も安心して挙式をうけられました！挙式後はゆっくり撮影Time!!!

Ringing the shrine bell and making a wish. 鐘をならして♬参拝♬

 In front of the blooming cherry blossoms. 満開の桜の前にて

Together with Kyoto Weddings staff. スタッフとともに♬