Tearoom
Tearoom (wa shin an -
和心庵)
Wa Shin An is a classic 4,5-tatami-large wabi-style tearoom, with a crawling entrance (nijiriguchi) for the guests, and an alcove (tokonoma) for hanging scrolls and flowers. Its name means the “Retreat of the peaceful mind”.
Teahouse garden (roji -
露地)
In the roji (litt. “dew ground”), the guests “brush away the worldly dust”, enjoying the calm freshness of the garden, before purifying hands and mouth at the water basin, and crawling through the low entrance into the tearoom.
Designed by Nara-based garden designer and tea practitioner Masui Sachimine www.sachimine.com
Traditional preparation room
(mizuya -
水屋)
The traditional preparation room is 3-tatami-large. It is where utensils are washed and prepared. The host enters the tearoom from the mizuya. It includes a drain board, a shelf for utensils, and an access to the garden.