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shoseian |
SHOSEIAN TEAHOUSE "Arbor of the Murmuring Pines"
Shoseian teahouse in the Japanese Garden had its beginnings in the spring of
1981 with the reconstruction of the teahouse that was destroyed by fire in 1973.
The original six-mat teahouse was built by the Shimizu Construction Company
of Tokyo and donated to Seattle by the citizens of Tokyo. Tantansai, the 14th
generation head of the Urasenke Konnichian Chado tradition headquartered in
Kyoto, named the teahouse Wakeian, "Arbor of Peace and Tranquility," in a
special ceremony in 1959.
Following the fire, the teahouse site remained vacant for eight years. Arboretum
volunteers sought contributions and their efforts were rewarded with an initial
donation of $30,000 and a subsequent pledge of $100,000 matching funds
from Mr. Prentice Bloedel, a major contributor to the Garden. A fortuitous
meeting with Tantansai's successor, Soshitsu Sen XV, led to donations of funds
for the teahouse construction and continuous support for a course in Chado
studies at the University of Washington.
Self-trained carpenter Mr. Fred Sugita was hired to undertake the construction
of the teahouse and to equip it with running water, electricity and storage so
that it would function as a classroom for Chado studies. The teahouse was
completed in 1981 and named Shoseian, "Arbor of Murmuring Pines," in a
special ceremony officiated by Soshitsu Sen XV.
In 1982 Japanese garden specialist Mr. Richard Yamazaki reestablished the
surrounding garden that features stepping stones, a purification basin, and a
covered shelter for visitors waiting to enter the teahouse. Arboretum volunteers
gathered moss from the Cascade mountains to carpet the ground beneath the
tall canopy of Japanese maple trees that surrounds the mountain-like
hermitage.
Dr. Sen envisioned Shoseian as an urban retreat where all would be welcomed
to experience renewal through the Way of Tea. He dispatched Bonnie Soshin
Mitchell from Urasenke Headquarters to serve as the teahouse manager and the
Chado instructor. Today Foundation staff member Mr. Timothy Sowa Olson
teaches the credited UW Art History course titled "Chado, and Japanese
Aesthetic"' each quarter on campus and in the teahouse.
The study of Chado includes the daily care of the tearoom and garden to reveal
the innate beauty of the natural materials of the architecture and environment.
Teachers and students volunteer more than 750 hours annually towards its
upkeep. It is by means of constant polishing that the teahouse and surrounding
garden acquire the valued patina that gives it warmth and beauty.
The Foundation expanded its activities in 1985 to offer adult education classes,
seasonal tea gatherings, and demonstrations. Garden visitors may also
experience tea demonstrations hosted by Shoseikai, Friends of the Teahouse, a
group of dedicated tea practitioners representing various tea traditions, since
1982.
The teahouse includes a six-mat tearoom with a recessed alcove, a four-mat
entrance space, and a small adjoining kitchen. The floors are covered with
tatami mats and the clay walls are plastered to reveal the wooden structure of
posts and beams. Opaque sliding doors separate the interior spaces and shoji
sliding screens of translucent paper separate the interior from the exterior
spaces.
The roof that extends over the patio to create a transitional space between the
tearoom and garden is unique to Shoseian. The underside of the roof reveals
the skillful joinery of posts and timbers that is a hallmark of Japanese
architecture.
History of the JAPANESE GARDEN
Shoseian teahouse in the Japanese Garden had its beginnings in the spring of
1981 with the reconstruction of the teahouse that was destroyed by fire in 1973.
The original six-mat teahouse was built by the Shimizu Construction Company
of Tokyo and donated to Seattle by the citizens of Tokyo. Tantansai, the 14th
generation head of the Urasenke Konnichian Chado tradition headquartered in
Kyoto, named the teahouse Wakeian, "Arbor of Peace and Tranquility," in a
special ceremony in 1959.
Following the fire, the teahouse site remained vacant for eight years. Arboretum
volunteers sought contributions and their efforts were rewarded with an initial
donation of $30,000 and a subsequent pledge of $100,000 matching funds
from Mr. Prentice Bloedel, a major contributor to the Garden. A fortuitous
meeting with Tantansai's successor, Soshitsu Sen XV, led to donations of funds
for the teahouse construction and continuous support for a course in Chado
studies at the University of Washington.
Self-trained carpenter Mr. Fred Sugita was hired to undertake the construction
of the teahouse and to equip it with running water, electricity and storage so
that it would function as a classroom for Chado studies. The teahouse was
completed in 1981 and named Shoseian, "Arbor of Murmuring Pines," in a
special ceremony officiated by Soshitsu Sen XV.
In 1982 Japanese garden specialist Mr. Richard Yamazaki reestablished the
surrounding garden that features stepping stones, a purification basin, and a
covered shelter for visitors waiting to enter the teahouse. Arboretum volunteers
gathered moss from the Cascade mountains to carpet the ground beneath the
tall canopy of Japanese maple trees that surrounds the mountain-like
hermitage.
Dr. Sen envisioned Shoseian as an urban retreat where all would be welcomed
to experience renewal through the Way of Tea. He dispatched Bonnie Soshin
Mitchell from Urasenke Headquarters to serve as the teahouse manager and the
Chado instructor. Today Foundation staff member Mr. Timothy Sowa Olson
teaches the credited UW Art History course titled "Chado, and Japanese
Aesthetic"' each quarter on campus and in the teahouse.
The study of Chado includes the daily care of the tearoom and garden to reveal
the innate beauty of the natural materials of the architecture and environment.
Teachers and students volunteer more than 750 hours annually towards its
upkeep. It is by means of constant polishing that the teahouse and surrounding
garden acquire the valued patina that gives it warmth and beauty.
The Foundation expanded its activities in 1985 to offer adult education classes,
seasonal tea gatherings, and demonstrations. Garden visitors may also
experience tea demonstrations hosted by Shoseikai, Friends of the Teahouse, a
group of dedicated tea practitioners representing various tea traditions, since
1982.
The teahouse includes a six-mat tearoom with a recessed alcove, a four-mat
entrance space, and a small adjoining kitchen. The floors are covered with
tatami mats and the clay walls are plastered to reveal the wooden structure of
posts and beams. Opaque sliding doors separate the interior spaces and shoji
sliding screens of translucent paper separate the interior from the exterior
spaces.
The roof that extends over the patio to create a transitional space between the
tearoom and garden is unique to Shoseian. The underside of the roof reveals
the skillful joinery of posts and timbers that is a hallmark of Japanese
architecture.
History of the JAPANESE GARDEN
| Urasenke Foundation of Seattle cordially invites you to experience the Japanese Tea Culture in the Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden. Open to all, regardless of experience. CHADO The Way of Tea Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays For dates visit CALENDAR For tickets to public tea events call Washington Park Arboretum Japanese Garden at (206) 684-4725 For tea classes call Urasenke Foundation of Seattle at (206) 328-6018 |
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