kamakura asahi newspaper

Recreating the “Chūshingura Tea Ceremony” Held in Paris Last Year
Kamakura-bori Lacquerware Also Put on Display

A “Chūshingura Tea Ceremony” was held on March 12 at the former Ichijō Ekan Sansō in Jōmyōji, Kamakura City, attracting approximately 120 participants.

The event was a recreation of a tea ceremony organized by the Franco-Japanese Association for the Way of Tea in Paris, France, and Algeria in December of the previous year.

It was held at the request of supporting members who had been unable to travel to the original events, and was scheduled in connection with March 14, the anniversary of the death of Asano Naganori (Asano Takumi-no-Kami), who had committed seppuku after attacking Kira Kōzuke-no-Suke in the corridor known as the Matsu no Rōka at Edo Castle.

Historical materials, including letters written by Ōishi Kuranosuke and Asano Takumi-no-Kami, were exhibited, along with works by Kamakura-bori lacquer artist, including a bowl decorated with a cherry-blossom motif.

The artist hisself also provided explanations of the works.

During the tea ceremony, tea utensils associated with the historical theme were used, including a kakemono hanging scroll, kōgō incense container, chashaku tea scoop, and tea bowls.

H.E.Mohamed Bensherif, the Ambassador of Algeria to Japan, listened attentively to explanations given by the host of the tea gathering, Sōyū Mori of the Urasenke school, and expressed his gratitude, saying:

“I am grateful to have been invited to such a valuable and meaningful occasion.”

H.E. Viscount Hideshi Kuroda (69), the former lord of the Kururi Domain, said:

“I felt as though my heart had been cleansed.”

Mori also explained the historical connections between Chūshingura and Kamakura, including the fact that the first act of Kanadehon Chūshingura is set at Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, and that information about Kira Kōzuke-no-Suke’s tea gathering had been conveyed by Yamada Sōhen.